Jack staggered backwards with the force of the impact, his hand automatically going up to his now throbbing cheek. Focussing his eyes, he stared at Lucy as she stood in front of him, waving a piece of paper, the words leaving her mouth running into one.
“What did you do to her Jack? What did you say to make her leave? She’s gone Jack. You’ve driven her away? I’ll never forgive you for this.”
Jack listened to the words, still not fully understanding what had just happened. It was only then that he realised that Bobby was there too, trying to calm Lucy down. He looked to him for answers.
“What’s going on Crash?”
“She’s gone mate. I took the girls home, seeing as Sue had driven to the church and then took the car. Lucy offered me a drink so I went up with her only to find a note from Sue along with her apartment key.”
Jack listened to Bobby, the words not fully penetrating his brain. Sue had gone? Bobby took the letter from a now sobbing Lucy and passed it to Jack, who began to read the words.
Lucy
I’m so sorry but I can’t stay here anymore. I can’t be around Jack after everything that’s happened, it’s just too hard. You are a dear friend and I shall never forget you. Please don’t try and find me, I shall be in touch when I can. Let the team know that I’m safe and I love them all.
Sue
Jack lowered his hand and stared at Lucy and Bobby. He didn’t know what to say. He knew Lucy blamed him, and from reading the letter, he knew why.
“What happened Jack? Tell me the truth. My best friend has upped and left with no real explanation other than it has something to do with you.”
Jack was in a state of shock as he rounded his couch and sat down. Bobby and Lucy followed and sat either side of him as he spoke.
“I’ve lost her.”
10 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 12
As he paced his apartment, Jack couldn’t get her out of his mind. Why did he have to tell her like that? He knew that it was just happenstance that she’d walked in just as he was telling Bobby, but that didn’t change how he felt. He’d driven away the woman he loved.
Memories of the last four years flooded his mind. He remembered all the times they’d spent on cases, the dinners they’d shared. He’d always known that his feelings for Sue ran deeper than just friendship. He’d come close many times to telling her how he felt, but a mixture of fear and being in the wrong place at the wrong time had meant that he had always backed out.
His biggest fear had been that he told her how he felt and she didn’t return his feelings and he would ruin their friendship. As he looked out of his window, he realised that he’d been right all along. For her to have run off like that could mean only one thing, she didn’t feel the same way. His fear of her not returning his love weren’t unfounded after all.
Standing still, Jack placed his hands on his hips and sighed. His anger for what had happened rising to the surface as his foot connected with one of the dining room chairs, sending it flying across the floor.
He needed to talk to her, to sort things out, but he had no idea where she could be. He’d been to all the places that he knew she frequented, and some that he thought she might have done, but he’d drawn a blank. He knew that he couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. Grabbing his jacket and keys, he flung open the door, only to be stopped when a hand connected with his face.
Memories of the last four years flooded his mind. He remembered all the times they’d spent on cases, the dinners they’d shared. He’d always known that his feelings for Sue ran deeper than just friendship. He’d come close many times to telling her how he felt, but a mixture of fear and being in the wrong place at the wrong time had meant that he had always backed out.
His biggest fear had been that he told her how he felt and she didn’t return his feelings and he would ruin their friendship. As he looked out of his window, he realised that he’d been right all along. For her to have run off like that could mean only one thing, she didn’t feel the same way. His fear of her not returning his love weren’t unfounded after all.
Standing still, Jack placed his hands on his hips and sighed. His anger for what had happened rising to the surface as his foot connected with one of the dining room chairs, sending it flying across the floor.
He needed to talk to her, to sort things out, but he had no idea where she could be. He’d been to all the places that he knew she frequented, and some that he thought she might have done, but he’d drawn a blank. He knew that he couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. Grabbing his jacket and keys, he flung open the door, only to be stopped when a hand connected with his face.
7 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 11
After leaving Jack’s, Sue had returned to her apartment. After changing out of her wedding outfit, she’d packed a bag with clothes for a few days, knowing that she would arrange to have the rest shipped to her at a later date.
She’d called around all the airports but none had a flight leaving for Ohio that evening. The only other choice was by coach, but they were reluctant to let Levi travel, so she’d decided to drive. After packing up the trunk of her car, she returned to the apartment. Taking a few minutes to take one last look around, she wrote a note for Lucy, knowing that her friend would worry if she didn’t at least tell her where she was. She decided not to go into too much detail.
When she was ready, she grabbed her purse, clipped Levi’s leash to his collar and took a deep breath. After unclipping here apartment key from her key chain, she left if on the note for Lucy and left the apartment.
She’d been driving for a little over an hour and it was starting to get dark. Levi had settled on the back seat and she was headed in the direction of Ohio. She knew that this was a major step she was taking. She was giving up her life in DC, her career all because of three little words that Jack had said to her.
She knew that she longed to see those words on his lips, and under any other circumstances, she would be back in DC with him. But, knowing what heartache had been caused to others, she couldn’t be with Jack, not now, no matter how much she loved him in return.
She knew she would miss the friends she’d made in DC, and she promised herself that she would keep in touch with them all, but seeing Jack almost everyday would be too hard. In Ohio, she would get over him, her feelings for him would fade and she could get on with her life. At least, she hoped she could.
She’d called around all the airports but none had a flight leaving for Ohio that evening. The only other choice was by coach, but they were reluctant to let Levi travel, so she’d decided to drive. After packing up the trunk of her car, she returned to the apartment. Taking a few minutes to take one last look around, she wrote a note for Lucy, knowing that her friend would worry if she didn’t at least tell her where she was. She decided not to go into too much detail.
When she was ready, she grabbed her purse, clipped Levi’s leash to his collar and took a deep breath. After unclipping here apartment key from her key chain, she left if on the note for Lucy and left the apartment.
She’d been driving for a little over an hour and it was starting to get dark. Levi had settled on the back seat and she was headed in the direction of Ohio. She knew that this was a major step she was taking. She was giving up her life in DC, her career all because of three little words that Jack had said to her.
She knew that she longed to see those words on his lips, and under any other circumstances, she would be back in DC with him. But, knowing what heartache had been caused to others, she couldn’t be with Jack, not now, no matter how much she loved him in return.
She knew she would miss the friends she’d made in DC, and she promised herself that she would keep in touch with them all, but seeing Jack almost everyday would be too hard. In Ohio, she would get over him, her feelings for him would fade and she could get on with her life. At least, she hoped she could.
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 10
As darkness fell, Jack pulled up outside his apartment building and switched off the engine. He’d been driving around for almost three hours but hadn’t been able to find any sign of Sue. He’d been to her apartment, several parks and even some of their favourite restaurants and there was no sign of her. Sitting back in his seat, he slammed his hands against the steering wheel, angry at himself for the current situation.
He knew that Sue running was his fault. If he hadn’t blurted out how he felt about her, she would still be there. Now, there was every chance that he could have ruined any kind of future that the two of them might have had.
Looking up, he glanced around him, his head stopping when he saw a familiar looking blond woman entering his apartment building. Jumping out of the car, he locked it and raced across the street, stopping by the women and turning her round to face him, seeing that it was his neighbour from across the hall.
“Oh, Mrs Watson, I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
“That’s okay dear, I think you missed her earlier.”
Jack looked at the woman who stood in front of him, his expression speaking volumes.
“Earlier?”
“I assume you’re taking about that pretty partner of yours. She came by earlier. I was just coming home from work.”
“How much earlier Mrs Watson, this is extremely important.”
“About two hours ago. She made a quick phone call, scribbled something on a piece of paper and left. She pushed something under your door too. Say, weren’t you meant to be getting married today?”
Ignoring her last question, Jack thanked the woman and raced up the stairs to his apartment. Pulling his key from his pocket, he quickly opened the door, seeing his spare key lying on the floor. Bending, he picked it up and sighed, leaning against the doorframe. As he looked around, he noticed a scrap of paper. Picking it up, he read two words written in a familiar handwriting: I’m sorry.
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 9
After Jack had left the church, it was left to Bobby to sort everything. It was a little under thirty minutes since Jack had left, and the last people were leaving the church. Everyone still wanted to know why the wedding had been cancelled, but Bobby remained tight lipped, saying it was a mutual decision between Jack and Allie.
After the last person had gone, only the team were left. Bobby had told them the same thing he’d told everyone else mainly to not arouse suspicion. How the team were on their own, the questions began.
“So, what’s the real reason Bobby? Mutual decision isn’t going to cut it. Allie adores Jack, she wouldn’t just decide she didn’t want to marry him.” Tara asked.
Seeing all of his friends looking at him, Bobby slumped down in the nearest pew. Everyone sat around him. He could feel their eyes on him, even Myles wanted answers.
“He didn’t love her.” Bobby told them, not missing the faint smile that crossed Lucy’s lips.
“That explains where Sue’s gone.” Lucy looked around her friends, all looked confused. “Don’t tell me you don’t know? Myles, you said it yourself a few months ago, Jack and Sue have this kind of chemistry.”
“So you think Jack dumped Allie because he is in love with the fair Miss Thomas?” Myles asked.
“That’s exactly what I think. And now Jack is gone and so is Sue, they must be together.”
Lucy couldn’t hide the excitement from her voice, which faded when she looked at Bobby’s face.
“I wouldn’t count on it luv. I think Sue saw Jack saying he loved her when he was explaining things to me. A few minutes later, she bolted from the vestry and drove off. I don’t think Sparky got the reaction he was hoping for.”
Lucy opened her mouth to speak before she was stopped.
“Excuse me, but I have another wedding soon and I need to get the church ready. I’m afraid you will all have to leave.”
“Sure thing father.” Bobby said as he stood. “Sorry for wasting your time today.”
“Don’t worry about it my son. That young man did the right thing if he didn’t love his bride. I just hope everything works out for the best.”
“So do I father, so do I.”
6 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 8
The car screeched to a halt as Sue stopped her car. Looking up, she saw where she’d driven too, not realising that she’d been heading in that direction. Turning off the engine, Sue unclipped her seatbelt and sat back in her seat. Her mind was still spinning after what had just happened.
She couldn’t quite believe that Jack had called off his own wedding claiming to be in love with her. He couldn’t love her. He’d had so many chances to tell her in the past and never had. She refused to believe that he had just suddenly realised how he felt about her. Despite her feelings for him, she couldn’t even think about having a future with him knowing she had caused so much heartache amongst Allie and her family.
She could only imagine what Allie must be going through right now. Jack was the love of her life. She had learnt quite a lot about her whilst they’d helped her plan the wedding. With Allie being an only child, she had no sisters to help her and with all her girlfriends in New York, that left her, Tara and Lucy to help.
Allie had confided in them all that Jack had been the only man that she had ever loved. He was the one she always turned to when things got difficult. Now, because of her, that was all over.
Sighing deeply, she grabbed her bag and stepped out of the car. Crossing the street, she entered the apartment building and took the elevator to the third floor. Working with Jack after everything that had happened would be too hard. She knew that there was only one thing that she could do now.
Exiting the elevator, she stepped out and approached the apartment. Taking out her key chain, she unhooked the emergency key and slipped it under the apartment door. Picking up her blackberry, Sue dialled and waited for a response, speaking when someone answered.
“Mom, it’s me. I’m coming home.”
She couldn’t quite believe that Jack had called off his own wedding claiming to be in love with her. He couldn’t love her. He’d had so many chances to tell her in the past and never had. She refused to believe that he had just suddenly realised how he felt about her. Despite her feelings for him, she couldn’t even think about having a future with him knowing she had caused so much heartache amongst Allie and her family.
She could only imagine what Allie must be going through right now. Jack was the love of her life. She had learnt quite a lot about her whilst they’d helped her plan the wedding. With Allie being an only child, she had no sisters to help her and with all her girlfriends in New York, that left her, Tara and Lucy to help.
Allie had confided in them all that Jack had been the only man that she had ever loved. He was the one she always turned to when things got difficult. Now, because of her, that was all over.
Sighing deeply, she grabbed her bag and stepped out of the car. Crossing the street, she entered the apartment building and took the elevator to the third floor. Working with Jack after everything that had happened would be too hard. She knew that there was only one thing that she could do now.
Exiting the elevator, she stepped out and approached the apartment. Taking out her key chain, she unhooked the emergency key and slipped it under the apartment door. Picking up her blackberry, Sue dialled and waited for a response, speaking when someone answered.
“Mom, it’s me. I’m coming home.”
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 7
Watching her drive away felt like someone had stabbed him right in the heart. He hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. He was certain that she felt the same way about him. He then began thinking about the situation from her point of view.
They had spent almost four years dancing around each other. He believed that, deep down, they both knew how the other felt but had done nothing. He knew how he felt for Sue and had a good idea how she felt for him, but he still allowed things with him and Allie to get this far. He couldn’t blame her for reacting like she had. After all, what did he expect, for her to fall into his arms and declare undying love?
Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he could only think of one thing to do. Loosening his tie and undoing the top button of his dress shirt, Jack flung open the door and walked into the main church.
He was surprised to see it still half full. As soon as people saw him, they all surrounded him, firing questions at him from all directions. He worked his way through the crowd and towards the door. Before he left, he turned and looked at everyone.
“I appreciate that you all have questions about what’s gone on today, but I have something I need to do right now so I can’t answer them. The reasons are between Allie and I and we would both hope that you can respect our wishes to keep what’s happened private. Thank you.”
With those words, Jack opened the main door to the church, realising that he didn’t have a car as Bobby had driven there. Turning, he stopped suddenly when he saw Bobby standing there, holding out his keys. Jack looked at him as Bobby winked.
“Go get her mate.”
Jack smiled his thanks at his best man and grabbed the keys, breaking into a run as he approached the car and jumped in. Starting the engine, he pointed the car in the direction of Sue’s apartment and went after her.
They had spent almost four years dancing around each other. He believed that, deep down, they both knew how the other felt but had done nothing. He knew how he felt for Sue and had a good idea how she felt for him, but he still allowed things with him and Allie to get this far. He couldn’t blame her for reacting like she had. After all, what did he expect, for her to fall into his arms and declare undying love?
Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, he could only think of one thing to do. Loosening his tie and undoing the top button of his dress shirt, Jack flung open the door and walked into the main church.
He was surprised to see it still half full. As soon as people saw him, they all surrounded him, firing questions at him from all directions. He worked his way through the crowd and towards the door. Before he left, he turned and looked at everyone.
“I appreciate that you all have questions about what’s gone on today, but I have something I need to do right now so I can’t answer them. The reasons are between Allie and I and we would both hope that you can respect our wishes to keep what’s happened private. Thank you.”
With those words, Jack opened the main door to the church, realising that he didn’t have a car as Bobby had driven there. Turning, he stopped suddenly when he saw Bobby standing there, holding out his keys. Jack looked at him as Bobby winked.
“Go get her mate.”
Jack smiled his thanks at his best man and grabbed the keys, breaking into a run as he approached the car and jumped in. Starting the engine, he pointed the car in the direction of Sue’s apartment and went after her.
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 6
As Jack entered the vestry, he closed the door and let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t believe how well that had gone. He hated what he’d done to Allie, but he had to do the right thing, and marrying her wasn’t it. Sitting down, he looked up when the door to the vestry burst open and Bobby raced in.
“What’s going on mate?
Jack just looked at his friend before speaking.
“I couldn’t do it Bobby. I couldn’t marry her.”
“Do I need to ask why? Or are you going to tell me.”
Jack smiled at his friend. He knew that Bobby knew the reason why he’d called everything off. Like Lucy had been doing with Sue, Bobby had dropped many not so subtle hints about him and Sue over the years.
“I don’t think I need to tell you Crash. Allie isn’t the one I love.”
Turning away, Jack thought about Allie and how she’d spoken with Sue briefly before leaving the church. He had wondered what Allie had said to her, especially after the way he’d seen Sue look at him after Allie had gone.
“I take it you haven’t told her how you feel?” Bobby asked.
Jack just shook his head. He knew that he had to do something about his feelings after what had gone on today. No one would believe that he’d called it off just because he didn’t love Allie, especially with their history together.
“How do I tell her Crash? How do I tell Sue that I love her.”
Jack was looking at Bobby and froze when he heard a gasp. Standing, he moved past Bobby and saw Sue standing in the doorway.
Jack smiled at Sue, wondering if she’d read what he had just said. The faint smile on her face and the look in her eyes told him that she had. Reaching out, he took her hand before turning to Bobby.
“Could you give us a few minutes please Crash.”
Nodding, Bobby hurried out of the vestry and closed the door behind him. Jack looked at Sue, not sure what to say to her.
“Did you read what I just said?” He asked before continuing, “Do you feel the same way?”
All Sue could do was look at him. She saw that his lips were moving but her brain wasn’t fully processing what he was saying. She could have sworn she’d just seen him say he loved her and she was beginning to feel extremely guilty. She was the reason that what should have been the best day of Allie’s life was ruined.
Taking a step away from his, Sue began shaking her head as she looked at him.
“No Jack. You love Allie. You’re marrying Allie.”
Jack didn’t like the look that he saw in her eyes, or the words that had just left her lips. She was backing away from him, almost like she was scared. This hadn’t been the reaction he’d been expecting.
“No Sue, I don’t love Allie. I can’t marry her. It’s you that I love.”
Sue stopped moving when she hit a nearby table, but her eyes remained on Jack’s lips. She closed her eyes briefly and looked away. She’d spent the last three months coming to terms with the fact that Jack was marrying another woman. She’d tried her hardest to put her feelings for him to the back of her mind, and she’d just about managed to do that, and now he was throwing her a curve ball that she hadn’t seen coming.
She watched as he came closer to her and touched her shoulder. She hated how her body tensed at his touch. Only months ago she would have given anything to have him looking at her like he was now, to have him close to her, but now it felt wrong. Lilting her hand, she pushed his hand away and stepped closer to the back door.
“You can’t do this to me Jack. It’s isn’t fair.”
With those words, Sue left the vestry and headed to her car. The last he saw of her was when he wheels slid on the gravel as she left the church.
“What’s going on mate?
Jack just looked at his friend before speaking.
“I couldn’t do it Bobby. I couldn’t marry her.”
“Do I need to ask why? Or are you going to tell me.”
Jack smiled at his friend. He knew that Bobby knew the reason why he’d called everything off. Like Lucy had been doing with Sue, Bobby had dropped many not so subtle hints about him and Sue over the years.
“I don’t think I need to tell you Crash. Allie isn’t the one I love.”
Turning away, Jack thought about Allie and how she’d spoken with Sue briefly before leaving the church. He had wondered what Allie had said to her, especially after the way he’d seen Sue look at him after Allie had gone.
“I take it you haven’t told her how you feel?” Bobby asked.
Jack just shook his head. He knew that he had to do something about his feelings after what had gone on today. No one would believe that he’d called it off just because he didn’t love Allie, especially with their history together.
“How do I tell her Crash? How do I tell Sue that I love her.”
Jack was looking at Bobby and froze when he heard a gasp. Standing, he moved past Bobby and saw Sue standing in the doorway.
Jack smiled at Sue, wondering if she’d read what he had just said. The faint smile on her face and the look in her eyes told him that she had. Reaching out, he took her hand before turning to Bobby.
“Could you give us a few minutes please Crash.”
Nodding, Bobby hurried out of the vestry and closed the door behind him. Jack looked at Sue, not sure what to say to her.
“Did you read what I just said?” He asked before continuing, “Do you feel the same way?”
All Sue could do was look at him. She saw that his lips were moving but her brain wasn’t fully processing what he was saying. She could have sworn she’d just seen him say he loved her and she was beginning to feel extremely guilty. She was the reason that what should have been the best day of Allie’s life was ruined.
Taking a step away from his, Sue began shaking her head as she looked at him.
“No Jack. You love Allie. You’re marrying Allie.”
Jack didn’t like the look that he saw in her eyes, or the words that had just left her lips. She was backing away from him, almost like she was scared. This hadn’t been the reaction he’d been expecting.
“No Sue, I don’t love Allie. I can’t marry her. It’s you that I love.”
Sue stopped moving when she hit a nearby table, but her eyes remained on Jack’s lips. She closed her eyes briefly and looked away. She’d spent the last three months coming to terms with the fact that Jack was marrying another woman. She’d tried her hardest to put her feelings for him to the back of her mind, and she’d just about managed to do that, and now he was throwing her a curve ball that she hadn’t seen coming.
She watched as he came closer to her and touched her shoulder. She hated how her body tensed at his touch. Only months ago she would have given anything to have him looking at her like he was now, to have him close to her, but now it felt wrong. Lilting her hand, she pushed his hand away and stepped closer to the back door.
“You can’t do this to me Jack. It’s isn’t fair.”
With those words, Sue left the vestry and headed to her car. The last he saw of her was when he wheels slid on the gravel as she left the church.
5 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 5
In the vestry, Jack stood in front of Allie, knowing that if he didn’t say something soon, he was going to chicken out yet again. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
“Allie, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the confused look on her face as she sat down in front of him, he followed suit.
“Sorry for what Jack?”
“Sorry for causing you to fall in love with me when I don’t deserve it. Sorry for allowing everything to get out of control. Sorry for bringing you here today. Allie I don’t know where to begin.”
He paused again and just looked at her. She’d placed her bouquet on a nearby table and was watching him intently. He could see tears pooling in her eyes and he knew that deep down, she knew what he was trying to tell her.
“Allie, you know that I love you. We’ve been so close for so many years. Part of me can’t imagine my life without you in it and that’s where the problems start. I want you in my life Allie, but I think we will be making a mistake if we go through with this wedding.”
“What do you mean Jack?” Allie asked, her voice clearly shaky.
“I can’t do this. I can’t marry you Allie. I know this is the worst time that I could have chosen to tell you this, but I couldn’t let you walk in that church knowing that this isn’t right.”
Jack watched as she sat upright in her chair, her initial upset had been replaced with anger and he saw the expression on her face change.
“So, let me get this right, you propose to me, spend three months planning a wedding, you let me bring all of my family over from New York and Wisconsin and you don’t want to go through with it?”
Jack knew she had valid points in what she said, but his mind had focussed on one thing that she’d said. He hated to mention it, as he knew how she would react, but he needed to make his feelings clear.
“I didn’t propose Allie. I didn’t ask you to marry me. I asked you what you thought about marriage and you jumped to the wrong conclusion. Before I had chance to correct you, you’d called your parents, my parents and who knows who else. Everything just snowballed and I just figured it would be easier to let it go rather than try and stop it. I realised now how wrong I was to do that. You’ll never know how sorry I am for doing this to you, but I need to follow my heart.”
“And you heart doesn’t lie with me?” Allie asked as Jack shook his head. “Do you mind if I ask who it does lie with, because I don’t for one second believe that you have just decided that you don’t want to marry me. I know you Jack, better than most, if not everyone. You have morals and ethics and, even though I really want to hate you right now, I can’t. So, who is it?”
He knew he had to tell her. Part of him was surprised that she was being so calm about everything. He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell her, but knew that he’d been honest with her so far today, and that would be the way it could continue.
He watched her as the question hung in the air. He wasn’t sure how she would react when he told her he loved Sue. Since the wedding announcement, Sue, Lucy and Tara had all helped Allie out with the planning when her family was unavailable. They’d all become friends.
“I’m sorry Allie, I never planned for any of this. I didn’t mean for it to happen but over the years I just fell in love with her.”
“You don’t have to say it Jack. I know.”
Unable to hide the surprised look on his face, Jack opened his mouth but nothing came out. He kept his eyes on hers as she stood and picked up here bouquet.
“I guess we should tell everyone.”
Jack stood so that he faced her and shook his head.
“No, I should be the one to do it. It’s because of me that the wedding isn’t going ahead.”
“You bet it is, but we should do this one last thing together.”
All Jack could do was look at her. He hadn’t expected a reaction like this. He’d expected her to be angry, upset. He’d expected tears and lots of shouting but there had been none of that. She’d been unusually calm about the whole thing, which unnerved him a little. His eyes followed her as she walked towards the door that would lead them into the main church.
“You coming?”
Broken from his trance, Jack approached her as she opened the door. They both took a step out before someone approached them.
“There you two are. We need to get started, I have another service in thirty minutes.”
“I’m sorry father,” Jack said the man who was meant to marry them, “we won’t be getting married today.”
Without explaining further Jack and Allie walked past the father and towards the main congregation. They both heard the silence fall over the crowd as people saw them one by one. Jack saw Bobby walk up to them.
“Where’ve you been mate? We’ve all be waiting.”
“Sorry Crash, give us a minute okay?”
Jack looked at Bobby and saw his expression change, knowing that his best friend knew what was going on. Standing at the front of the church, Allie was the first to speak.
“Jack and I would like to thank you all for coming but we regret that there won’t be a wedding today. The reception will go ahead as normal so please feel free to enjoy the hospitality. Thank you.”
Stepping forward, Allie took one last look at Jack before hurrying away. She paused when she came to the second pew that housed Sue, Lucy and Tara. She bent slightly so Sue could read her.
“You’re a lucky woman. Remember that.”
With that, Allie hurried off down the aisle, leaving a shocked Sue watching her, before turning her head to see Jack turn and go back to the vestry.
“Allie, I’m so sorry.”
He saw the confused look on her face as she sat down in front of him, he followed suit.
“Sorry for what Jack?”
“Sorry for causing you to fall in love with me when I don’t deserve it. Sorry for allowing everything to get out of control. Sorry for bringing you here today. Allie I don’t know where to begin.”
He paused again and just looked at her. She’d placed her bouquet on a nearby table and was watching him intently. He could see tears pooling in her eyes and he knew that deep down, she knew what he was trying to tell her.
“Allie, you know that I love you. We’ve been so close for so many years. Part of me can’t imagine my life without you in it and that’s where the problems start. I want you in my life Allie, but I think we will be making a mistake if we go through with this wedding.”
“What do you mean Jack?” Allie asked, her voice clearly shaky.
“I can’t do this. I can’t marry you Allie. I know this is the worst time that I could have chosen to tell you this, but I couldn’t let you walk in that church knowing that this isn’t right.”
Jack watched as she sat upright in her chair, her initial upset had been replaced with anger and he saw the expression on her face change.
“So, let me get this right, you propose to me, spend three months planning a wedding, you let me bring all of my family over from New York and Wisconsin and you don’t want to go through with it?”
Jack knew she had valid points in what she said, but his mind had focussed on one thing that she’d said. He hated to mention it, as he knew how she would react, but he needed to make his feelings clear.
“I didn’t propose Allie. I didn’t ask you to marry me. I asked you what you thought about marriage and you jumped to the wrong conclusion. Before I had chance to correct you, you’d called your parents, my parents and who knows who else. Everything just snowballed and I just figured it would be easier to let it go rather than try and stop it. I realised now how wrong I was to do that. You’ll never know how sorry I am for doing this to you, but I need to follow my heart.”
“And you heart doesn’t lie with me?” Allie asked as Jack shook his head. “Do you mind if I ask who it does lie with, because I don’t for one second believe that you have just decided that you don’t want to marry me. I know you Jack, better than most, if not everyone. You have morals and ethics and, even though I really want to hate you right now, I can’t. So, who is it?”
He knew he had to tell her. Part of him was surprised that she was being so calm about everything. He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell her, but knew that he’d been honest with her so far today, and that would be the way it could continue.
He watched her as the question hung in the air. He wasn’t sure how she would react when he told her he loved Sue. Since the wedding announcement, Sue, Lucy and Tara had all helped Allie out with the planning when her family was unavailable. They’d all become friends.
“I’m sorry Allie, I never planned for any of this. I didn’t mean for it to happen but over the years I just fell in love with her.”
“You don’t have to say it Jack. I know.”
Unable to hide the surprised look on his face, Jack opened his mouth but nothing came out. He kept his eyes on hers as she stood and picked up here bouquet.
“I guess we should tell everyone.”
Jack stood so that he faced her and shook his head.
“No, I should be the one to do it. It’s because of me that the wedding isn’t going ahead.”
“You bet it is, but we should do this one last thing together.”
All Jack could do was look at her. He hadn’t expected a reaction like this. He’d expected her to be angry, upset. He’d expected tears and lots of shouting but there had been none of that. She’d been unusually calm about the whole thing, which unnerved him a little. His eyes followed her as she walked towards the door that would lead them into the main church.
“You coming?”
Broken from his trance, Jack approached her as she opened the door. They both took a step out before someone approached them.
“There you two are. We need to get started, I have another service in thirty minutes.”
“I’m sorry father,” Jack said the man who was meant to marry them, “we won’t be getting married today.”
Without explaining further Jack and Allie walked past the father and towards the main congregation. They both heard the silence fall over the crowd as people saw them one by one. Jack saw Bobby walk up to them.
“Where’ve you been mate? We’ve all be waiting.”
“Sorry Crash, give us a minute okay?”
Jack looked at Bobby and saw his expression change, knowing that his best friend knew what was going on. Standing at the front of the church, Allie was the first to speak.
“Jack and I would like to thank you all for coming but we regret that there won’t be a wedding today. The reception will go ahead as normal so please feel free to enjoy the hospitality. Thank you.”
Stepping forward, Allie took one last look at Jack before hurrying away. She paused when she came to the second pew that housed Sue, Lucy and Tara. She bent slightly so Sue could read her.
“You’re a lucky woman. Remember that.”
With that, Allie hurried off down the aisle, leaving a shocked Sue watching her, before turning her head to see Jack turn and go back to the vestry.
4 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 4
After seeing the words leave Bobby’s lips, Sue stood in shock.
“Gone? What do you mean he’s gone?” Sue asked.
“I don’t know luv. I went back to the vestry to see if he was okay and he wasn’t there.”
Sue looked at Bobby as he spoke. Why would Jack vanish on his wedding day? He’d been planning for this day for months. He and Allie had been childhood sweethearts. Why would he run out on her now?
“Someone has to tell her Bobby. She will be devastated if she walks in here and he isn’t here waiting for her.”
She could see Bobby begin to talk but turned away and headed down the aisle. She could see all eyes on her as she threw apologetic and reassuring smiles in the direction of the guests, most of whom she knew from the bureau. She reached the door and slowly pushed it open.
She watched as Allie and her father posed for photographs, happiness written across her face. She really was a beautiful bride. Part of her was jealous that she was getting the big day that she could only dream of having one day. She found herself unable to move away as she just watched them, the photographer snapping many pictures, some of which would end up in the final album.
She smiled as she imagined herself standing there with her own father, a day that she hoped would come around someday.
As the photographer moved away, Allie’s father adjusted her veil and then she saw him turn to look behind him. Following his line of sight, she took a deep breath when she saw Jack standing just a few feet from them. Her heart almost stopped at the sight of him.
Unable to break her eyes from him, she watched as he continued to look at Allie. She hadn’t anticipated how much seeing him in this situation would affect her. Seeing Allie in her dress and Jack in his tuxedo made her realise something that she’d known deep down for many years. She was in love with Jack Hudson.
She’d had feelings for him for almost four years but had never told him. She’d had chance upon chance with all the dinners and lunches they’d shared but something had always gotten in the way or she’d think up some reason why she should keep her feelings too herself.
She knew that there was every chance that Jack wouldn’t return her feelings, but something deep down told her that he felt the same way. He’d never said anything to her, but there was something in the way he looked at her that told her all she needed to know. They had an unspoken communication that spoke volumes.
She watched as Allie approached him and her eyes locked with his for a brief second before she quickly closed the door and hurried back down the aisle.
“He’s outside with Allie. They’re talking.”
After telling Bobby, Sue returned to her seat next to Lucy, avoiding her friends gaze, knowing that Lucy could read her like a book and her emotions were already too close to the surface for her to be able to hide them.
“Gone? What do you mean he’s gone?” Sue asked.
“I don’t know luv. I went back to the vestry to see if he was okay and he wasn’t there.”
Sue looked at Bobby as he spoke. Why would Jack vanish on his wedding day? He’d been planning for this day for months. He and Allie had been childhood sweethearts. Why would he run out on her now?
“Someone has to tell her Bobby. She will be devastated if she walks in here and he isn’t here waiting for her.”
She could see Bobby begin to talk but turned away and headed down the aisle. She could see all eyes on her as she threw apologetic and reassuring smiles in the direction of the guests, most of whom she knew from the bureau. She reached the door and slowly pushed it open.
She watched as Allie and her father posed for photographs, happiness written across her face. She really was a beautiful bride. Part of her was jealous that she was getting the big day that she could only dream of having one day. She found herself unable to move away as she just watched them, the photographer snapping many pictures, some of which would end up in the final album.
She smiled as she imagined herself standing there with her own father, a day that she hoped would come around someday.
As the photographer moved away, Allie’s father adjusted her veil and then she saw him turn to look behind him. Following his line of sight, she took a deep breath when she saw Jack standing just a few feet from them. Her heart almost stopped at the sight of him.
Unable to break her eyes from him, she watched as he continued to look at Allie. She hadn’t anticipated how much seeing him in this situation would affect her. Seeing Allie in her dress and Jack in his tuxedo made her realise something that she’d known deep down for many years. She was in love with Jack Hudson.
She’d had feelings for him for almost four years but had never told him. She’d had chance upon chance with all the dinners and lunches they’d shared but something had always gotten in the way or she’d think up some reason why she should keep her feelings too herself.
She knew that there was every chance that Jack wouldn’t return her feelings, but something deep down told her that he felt the same way. He’d never said anything to her, but there was something in the way he looked at her that told her all she needed to know. They had an unspoken communication that spoke volumes.
She watched as Allie approached him and her eyes locked with his for a brief second before she quickly closed the door and hurried back down the aisle.
“He’s outside with Allie. They’re talking.”
After telling Bobby, Sue returned to her seat next to Lucy, avoiding her friends gaze, knowing that Lucy could read her like a book and her emotions were already too close to the surface for her to be able to hide them.
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 3
He watched from the window as Allie and her father posed for the pre-wedding photographs. The smile on her face showed him how happy she was. He knew that Allie had always harboured hopes that they would get back together. He had it on good authority that the day he proposed was the happiest of her life.
The proposal hadn’t been under the best circumstances. It hadn’t really been a proposal. He’d taken a few days off work after a difficult case and had returned home. Allie had just happened to be on vacation from her advertising job in New York and they’d met up a few times.
His mother had been badgering him about his age catching up with him and he wouldn’t have his looks all his life. He needed to find himself a nice woman to settle down with. She’d always seemed the mention it when Allie was in the room. He knew that his mother was doing. She’d always had a soft spot for Allie, no matter how many other women he dated.
They gone out for dinner one evening and Jack had just asked Allie what she thought about getting married. She’d jumped to the wrong conclusion and assumed he was proposing. He’d seen how happy she was and just couldn’t tell her the truth.
The weeks that followed had been strange to say the least. He’d told the team on his return to DC and had received a mixed reception, mostly from the girls. He’d partly expected it from Lucy, seeing as she’d spent the best part of four years trying to get him together with Sue, but it was Sue who’d surprised him.
He hadn’t been sure exactly what he’d been expecting her to say, but every since he’d told her, she’d maintained her distance from him. Gone were their shared lunches and occasional dinners. He only saw her inside of work but that hadn’t changed how he felt about her deep down, if anything, not seeing her had made him realise just how much she meant to him.
He saw the photographer move away and Allie turned to her father as he adjusted her veil. He couldn’t let her enter the church. He hated himself for what he was about to do, but he had to do it before he made the biggest mistake of his life. Knowing that the vestry had a back exit, he opened the door and stepped outside. Making his way around to the front of the church, he saw Allie look at him and smile.
The guilt was eating away at him, and he knew that what he was about to do would ruin a lifelong friendship. She would probably never forgive him, and he couldn’t blame her. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
“Mr Stevens, can I have a few moments with Allie before we go in please?”
Jack kept his distance from the two as Allie continued smiling at him.
“Jack, son, how many times? You’re marrying my daughter. It’s either dad or Paul.”
Jack forced a smile. He was sure the older man wouldn’t be this nice to him once he heard what he was about to do. Instead of answering, he just nodded and looked at Allie.
“Can I talk to you? Please?”
He hoped that his voice didn’t give away his feelings. He could feel his pulse quickening and his breathing was getting deeper as Allie approached him. For a moment, he thought that being married to her wouldn’t be that bad. She did look beautiful in her gown, her dark hair accentuated by the light material. It was only when his eyes locked with someone and he saw a blond head disappear around the church doors that he came back to reality.
Looking up, Allie was standing right in front of him, concern clearly written across her face.
“Is everything okay Jack?”
Wanting to tell her, Jack found himself speechless, instead, he took her hand and led her towards the vestry. No place would be a good place to tell her what he had to, but he knew the vestry would be private and away from prying eyes and ears.
When they were both inside, Jack paced the floor, unsure about how we was going to break the news to her. He didn’t want to hurt her but knew that it was inevitable. He did love Allie, and if any other guy did to her what he was about to, he would be the first person banging the door down to teach him a lesson.
No matter how much he wanted to be in love with her, he wasn’t. He’d tried to force his heart so many times, but nothing had worked. His heart belonged to one woman.
“Jack, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me.”
He could hear the nervousness in her voice and began to wonder how he’d gotten himself into this position. That’s right, I was too chicken to tell the woman I really love how I feel. Turning to Allie, he forced himself to look her in the eyes and he began to speak.
The proposal hadn’t been under the best circumstances. It hadn’t really been a proposal. He’d taken a few days off work after a difficult case and had returned home. Allie had just happened to be on vacation from her advertising job in New York and they’d met up a few times.
His mother had been badgering him about his age catching up with him and he wouldn’t have his looks all his life. He needed to find himself a nice woman to settle down with. She’d always seemed the mention it when Allie was in the room. He knew that his mother was doing. She’d always had a soft spot for Allie, no matter how many other women he dated.
They gone out for dinner one evening and Jack had just asked Allie what she thought about getting married. She’d jumped to the wrong conclusion and assumed he was proposing. He’d seen how happy she was and just couldn’t tell her the truth.
The weeks that followed had been strange to say the least. He’d told the team on his return to DC and had received a mixed reception, mostly from the girls. He’d partly expected it from Lucy, seeing as she’d spent the best part of four years trying to get him together with Sue, but it was Sue who’d surprised him.
He hadn’t been sure exactly what he’d been expecting her to say, but every since he’d told her, she’d maintained her distance from him. Gone were their shared lunches and occasional dinners. He only saw her inside of work but that hadn’t changed how he felt about her deep down, if anything, not seeing her had made him realise just how much she meant to him.
He saw the photographer move away and Allie turned to her father as he adjusted her veil. He couldn’t let her enter the church. He hated himself for what he was about to do, but he had to do it before he made the biggest mistake of his life. Knowing that the vestry had a back exit, he opened the door and stepped outside. Making his way around to the front of the church, he saw Allie look at him and smile.
The guilt was eating away at him, and he knew that what he was about to do would ruin a lifelong friendship. She would probably never forgive him, and he couldn’t blame her. Taking a deep breath, he spoke.
“Mr Stevens, can I have a few moments with Allie before we go in please?”
Jack kept his distance from the two as Allie continued smiling at him.
“Jack, son, how many times? You’re marrying my daughter. It’s either dad or Paul.”
Jack forced a smile. He was sure the older man wouldn’t be this nice to him once he heard what he was about to do. Instead of answering, he just nodded and looked at Allie.
“Can I talk to you? Please?”
He hoped that his voice didn’t give away his feelings. He could feel his pulse quickening and his breathing was getting deeper as Allie approached him. For a moment, he thought that being married to her wouldn’t be that bad. She did look beautiful in her gown, her dark hair accentuated by the light material. It was only when his eyes locked with someone and he saw a blond head disappear around the church doors that he came back to reality.
Looking up, Allie was standing right in front of him, concern clearly written across her face.
“Is everything okay Jack?”
Wanting to tell her, Jack found himself speechless, instead, he took her hand and led her towards the vestry. No place would be a good place to tell her what he had to, but he knew the vestry would be private and away from prying eyes and ears.
When they were both inside, Jack paced the floor, unsure about how we was going to break the news to her. He didn’t want to hurt her but knew that it was inevitable. He did love Allie, and if any other guy did to her what he was about to, he would be the first person banging the door down to teach him a lesson.
No matter how much he wanted to be in love with her, he wasn’t. He’d tried to force his heart so many times, but nothing had worked. His heart belonged to one woman.
“Jack, what’s wrong? You’re scaring me.”
He could hear the nervousness in her voice and began to wonder how he’d gotten himself into this position. That’s right, I was too chicken to tell the woman I really love how I feel. Turning to Allie, he forced himself to look her in the eyes and he began to speak.
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 2
Jack checked his watch. It was ten minutes to three and his bride would be arriving anytime in the next fifteen minutes. He paced the vestry, his hands on his hips and his head tilted back.
He’d asked Bobby to go out and wait for him, wanting a few minutes to himself. He knew that all of his friends and family were out there, waiting to watch him commit the rest of his life to one woman. The woman who he’d had an on again off again relationship with since high school.
He did love her, he’d always loved her, but only now was he beginning to second guess his feelings of actually being in love with her. He’d never understood the difference before now. He’d always thought that if you loved someone, that was it. There was only one kind of love and he’d thought that he had that with her, but he was now realising that he didn’t. He knew that people had said he was too much of a ladies’ man to settle down with one woman and he had to wonder if he was doing this just to prove them wrong.
Sighing deeply, Jack had never been more confused in his whole life. At 36, his parents, especially his mother, had been nagging him to settle down. They both thought that Allie was the perfect choice for him. They knew everything that there was no know about each other so there would be no surprises down the line.
He remembered when he’d told his parents about the wedding. His mother had been over the moon. She’d had a permanent smile on her face and insisted on a short engagement. In fact, it had only been three months since he’d broken the news to them. Everything had gone by so quickly. He’d left most of the planning down to his mother and Allie, with him only really getting involved when it came to choosing the best man, ushers and the suits.
His father had helped him a great deal, as had Bobby, but he got the distinct impression that his father hadn’t been as happy about the engagement as his mother had. He’d never asked him about it, but he knew.
As he turned for what felt like the hundredth time, he faced the window and saw the wedding car pull up outside the church. He recognised Allie’s father as he stepped out the car and walked around to open the other door. He watched as Allie stepped out, her ivory silk dress flowing around her body.
As he looked at her, he knew. There was only one woman that he loved, and it wasn’t the one he was about to marry.
He’d asked Bobby to go out and wait for him, wanting a few minutes to himself. He knew that all of his friends and family were out there, waiting to watch him commit the rest of his life to one woman. The woman who he’d had an on again off again relationship with since high school.
He did love her, he’d always loved her, but only now was he beginning to second guess his feelings of actually being in love with her. He’d never understood the difference before now. He’d always thought that if you loved someone, that was it. There was only one kind of love and he’d thought that he had that with her, but he was now realising that he didn’t. He knew that people had said he was too much of a ladies’ man to settle down with one woman and he had to wonder if he was doing this just to prove them wrong.
Sighing deeply, Jack had never been more confused in his whole life. At 36, his parents, especially his mother, had been nagging him to settle down. They both thought that Allie was the perfect choice for him. They knew everything that there was no know about each other so there would be no surprises down the line.
He remembered when he’d told his parents about the wedding. His mother had been over the moon. She’d had a permanent smile on her face and insisted on a short engagement. In fact, it had only been three months since he’d broken the news to them. Everything had gone by so quickly. He’d left most of the planning down to his mother and Allie, with him only really getting involved when it came to choosing the best man, ushers and the suits.
His father had helped him a great deal, as had Bobby, but he got the distinct impression that his father hadn’t been as happy about the engagement as his mother had. He’d never asked him about it, but he knew.
As he turned for what felt like the hundredth time, he faced the window and saw the wedding car pull up outside the church. He recognised Allie’s father as he stepped out the car and walked around to open the other door. He watched as Allie stepped out, her ivory silk dress flowing around her body.
As he looked at her, he knew. There was only one woman that he loved, and it wasn’t the one he was about to marry.
3 November 2011
The Runaway Groom - Chapter 1
Following Lucy and Tara, Sue walked into the church and sat on one of the pews near the front of the small church. Smoothing her dress down over he knees, she automatically began to search him out, her face showing disappointment when he was nowhere to be seen.
Checking her watch, she saw that it was a little after three. Glancing up, she smiled when she saw their friend standing at the altar, nervously wringing his hands together. She’d never seen one man look so nervous before. She kept watching as he glanced towards the church doors, then back towards the vestry. She thought it was usually the groom that was nervous at weddings, not the best man. She turned back and saw Lucy watching her, smiling.
“You’re looking for him aren’t you?” Lucy asked.
“What? I’m just looking round the church. The flowers are beautiful aren’t they?” Sue said, making an extra effort to look at her surroundings.
“Yes they are, but don’t change the subject Sue. Are you okay with this?”
Sue sighed deeply and looked away briefly before turning back. She knew what her friend was referring to and couldn’t let her know the truth about how she felt.
“He made his choice Luce.”
“Yes, but I have a feeling he didn’t have all the information. You never told him how you feel did you?” Lucy asked her friend.
Sue sighed again, realising that she couldn’t lie to her best friend. She just shook her head and saw Lucy roll her eyes at her.
“Sue, I thought we’d agreed that you were going to say something to him.”
“No Luce, you agreed. I never said anything of the sort. He wouldn’t have asked her to marry him unless he loved her so I’ve just got to accept that and move on.”
With that, Sue turned her head away from Lucy, effectively ending the conversation. She looked towards the altar, just in time to see Bobby turn to Myles. Not meaning to eavesdrop, Sue saw what was said between the two men, and then saw Bobby look towards the door. Knowing that something was wrong, Sue stood and approached Bobby.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“She’s here.” Bobby said, pointing towards the door.
“Okay, go and get him.” Sue told him, indicating towards the vestry.
“I would, except…..” Bobby paused “She is here but he isn’t.” He explained, “Jack’s gone.”
Thank you........Comment Away :)
Thank you for reading my very first piece of writing Hear No Evil. This piece is the first of a series and there are at least five more to follow, the sequel being Paradise Undercover, which will be coming shortly.
In the meantime, I welcome your comments on Hear No Evil whilst I prepare my next story for the blog.
Thank you again
N x
In the meantime, I welcome your comments on Hear No Evil whilst I prepare my next story for the blog.
Thank you again
N x
Hear No Evil - Chapter 48 - Final Chapter
An hour later, the whole team had congregated in the bullpen. Price had given them all the information they needed and they had recovered Maria Lopez from the warehouse that Price had told them about. She was scared and exhausted but otherwise is good health. They were all having a celebratory donut when Lucy entered. She took Sue to one side.
“Right, now it took some work and I pulled in a lot of favours but I found out who sent that e-mail to Garrett. It was out lovely office services manager Randy!” Lucy said, her hands on her hips.
“Randy!” Sue said, clearly surprised. “I didn’t know he could be so vindictive.”
“That little creep hates to see anyone happy. Now we have to plan our revenge.” Lucy said as she rubbed her hands together.
“Don’t worry about it Luce.” Sue said as she smiled. “I am sure I can think of a way to get back at him.”
At that moment, Garrett walked into the bullpen. Standing by Sue’s desk, her got her attention and addressed the whole team.
“Congratulations on a job well done. Marcus Price has confessed to everything. The DA has decided not to pursue a case against Barbara Casey. We can’t prove that she knew about her son’s activities and stupidity and believing the good in your children isn’t a criminal offence. Everyone, take the rest of the day off and enjoy the weekend.” As cheers went up from the bullpen, Garrett turned his attention to Jack and Sue. “Jack, Sue can I have a word with you both please, in my office.”
As Garrett left the bullpen, Jack walked over to Sue and stood by her desk. Smiling down at her, he offered her his hand and she took it as she stood and followed him to Garrett’s office. As the door was already open, they both entered and stood in front of their supervisor.
“What’s up Ted?” Jack asked, noticing the older men glance at their joined hands but he didn’t release her hand.
Garrett didn’t say anything but indicated the two seats in front of his desk. Jack and Sue both sat down opposite Ted and waited to hear what he had to tell them.
“I shall get straight to point. We need you two to go undercover again.”
TO BE CONTINUED.......
Hear No Evil - Chapter 47
After finishing with Price, Jack joined Sue outside the interrogation room that housed Ms Casey. Squeezing her hand for encouragement, he watched as she took a breath and nodded as Jack opened the door and they stepped inside. Ms Casey stood as they walked in.
“Agent Hudson, Sue. Why have I been bought here? What is going on?” She asked them as they took their seats opposite her, waiting until she took her seat.
“Ms Casey, thank you for coming in.” Jack said, knowing that the only way he was going to find out how much she knew was to be direct with her. “We have your son in custody. He is facing charges of kidnap, assault and murder.”
Jack kept his gaze fixed on her face, amazed that her expression didn’t change at all considering she’d just been given the news that her son was probably facing life in prison.
“Ms Casey, why didn’t you tell us that you thought your son could be involved with these kidnappings?” Sue asked.
“I didn’t know for sure that he was involved. I hoped he wasn’t. I haven’t had anything to do with my son since he got sent to prison for attacking those young girls. I didn’t even suspect he could be involved until you came to see me. I know that he blamed the girls for keeping me away from him. When I realised that I had taught all of the girls at one time or another, I began to think that it might have been him. I guess I didn’t want to believe it.”
“It was him who you protected all those years ago wasn’t it. When those parents complained about a boy pestering their daughters?” Jack asked her, seeing her expression soften as she looked at her hands.
“I thought it might have been. I asked him about it and he said that all he had done was say hello to them. He said he would stop if it upset them and I believed him. I guess I was being a little too naïve. Maybe if I had kept a closer eye on him, none of these awful things would have happened.”
2 November 2011
Hear No Evil - Chapter 46
After taking Price back to the Hoover building, Bobby and Jack were in the interrogation room, sitting across from Marcus Price. The rest of the team were in the adjoining room observing the interview. Bobby was leading the questioning.
“So Marcus, tell us why you kidnapped these women? You must have had a reason.”
“Oh I had a reason alright. Those dummies ruined my life. They don’t deserve to be on this planet. They are worthless.”
As he listened to Price, Bobby glanced across at Jack who sat next to him. He could see from the way his jaw was set that it was taking all of his self control not to reach across the table and grab him.
“Now why do you think that? What did these women ever do to you?” Bobby asked him as he leaned forward.
“They are the reason why I went inside. They are the reason why my mother ignored me. She was too wrapped up in teaching those dummies how to speak that she forgot that I even existed.”
Bobby sat back in his seat and just looked at Price. He’d had him pegged as the type of guy who blamed everyone else for everything that went wrong in his life and he was proving him right in what he was saying. He saw his partner lean forward and speak.
“That was twenty years ago Marcus.” Jack said incredulously.
“I have a long memory Agent Hudson. My mom would cancel time with me to teach one of more of those girls. She forgot all about me, wanted nothing to do with me. I tried allsorts to get her attention but nothing worked.”
“And you couldn’t do anything about it then so you thought you would make up for lost time.” Bobby asked. “I have a question Marcus. Why did you release Rosemary?”
“She was different to the others. I didn’t’ realise at the beginning that she had a baby. I knew what it was like to grow up without your mother around and I didn’t want that for her baby too.” Marcus explained.
“Well what do you know, a murderer with a conscience?” Bobby stated, turning to Jack.
“I am no murderer.” Price said as she slammed his hands on the table. “The deaths of those two women were accidental. They were trying to escape and they fell and hit their heads on a table.”
“And their bodies just happened to transport themselves to the Potomac?” jack asked as he raised his brows. “When is the third women Marcus. Maria Lopez. Where are you keeping her?”
Jack looked at price as he contemplated his answer. Jack figured he was weighing up his options and hoped that he made the right choice.
“She is in a warehouse about ten blocks from here. You can’t miss it. It’s the old paper factory.” Marcus said with a sigh.
“Does your mother know what you have done Marcus? I am sure she will be so proud of you.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure she does, although she probably won’t believe it, even when you tell her.”
At that moment, Jack and Bobby looked up as D opened the door and called them both over. The two agents stood and went into the observation room with D, glancing at Price as he wrung his hands together.
“Myles is putting a team together and is on his way there now. Barbara Casey just arrived. She is in interrogation two.”
“Oh I had a reason alright. Those dummies ruined my life. They don’t deserve to be on this planet. They are worthless.”
As he listened to Price, Bobby glanced across at Jack who sat next to him. He could see from the way his jaw was set that it was taking all of his self control not to reach across the table and grab him.
“Now why do you think that? What did these women ever do to you?” Bobby asked him as he leaned forward.
“They are the reason why I went inside. They are the reason why my mother ignored me. She was too wrapped up in teaching those dummies how to speak that she forgot that I even existed.”
Bobby sat back in his seat and just looked at Price. He’d had him pegged as the type of guy who blamed everyone else for everything that went wrong in his life and he was proving him right in what he was saying. He saw his partner lean forward and speak.
“That was twenty years ago Marcus.” Jack said incredulously.
“I have a long memory Agent Hudson. My mom would cancel time with me to teach one of more of those girls. She forgot all about me, wanted nothing to do with me. I tried allsorts to get her attention but nothing worked.”
“And you couldn’t do anything about it then so you thought you would make up for lost time.” Bobby asked. “I have a question Marcus. Why did you release Rosemary?”
“She was different to the others. I didn’t’ realise at the beginning that she had a baby. I knew what it was like to grow up without your mother around and I didn’t want that for her baby too.” Marcus explained.
“Well what do you know, a murderer with a conscience?” Bobby stated, turning to Jack.
“I am no murderer.” Price said as she slammed his hands on the table. “The deaths of those two women were accidental. They were trying to escape and they fell and hit their heads on a table.”
“And their bodies just happened to transport themselves to the Potomac?” jack asked as he raised his brows. “When is the third women Marcus. Maria Lopez. Where are you keeping her?”
Jack looked at price as he contemplated his answer. Jack figured he was weighing up his options and hoped that he made the right choice.
“She is in a warehouse about ten blocks from here. You can’t miss it. It’s the old paper factory.” Marcus said with a sigh.
“Does your mother know what you have done Marcus? I am sure she will be so proud of you.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure she does, although she probably won’t believe it, even when you tell her.”
At that moment, Jack and Bobby looked up as D opened the door and called them both over. The two agents stood and went into the observation room with D, glancing at Price as he wrung his hands together.
“Myles is putting a team together and is on his way there now. Barbara Casey just arrived. She is in interrogation two.”
Hear No Evil - Chapter 45
The next day, everything was set. On the drive back to her apartment the day before, Sue had finally managed to convince Jack that her plan would work and that she would be okay. He’d had one condition: Jack would be in constant contact with her and would hear everything that she said and she would stay in his line of sight at all times.
Deaf club had gone off without a hitch. Jack and the rest of team had reported seeing no one suspicious in the immediate vicinity. They all had a recent photograph of Price and were scrutinising every man that walked past but so far, he was nowhere to be seen.
Jack was seated on a bench in the park directly opposite the place where deaf club was held. He was dressed as a tramp and covered in newspapers as not to alert suspicion. He watched as he saw Sue leave deaf club with Levi in toe.
“Bobby, she has just exited the building, she should be coming around the corner any minute now.” Jack told his partner.
“I have her mate. Still no sign of Price. If he is going to turn up this is the ideal place. It’s a quiet stretch of road until you come to the next block.” Bobby said.
“Bobby, we have a man fitting Price’s description in view. He is turning onto your block……now.” Myles’ voice said over the radio
“I have him Myles.” Bobby said as he shifted his position to get a clearer view of the man Myles was referring to.
Using the scope that he had set up in the surveillance van, he looked at the man that Myles had just spotted. Checking him against the picture he had he got back on the comm.
“Okay everyone, I have Marcus Price in sight. He is about thirty feet away from Sue. We can’t take him until we are sure that he is after Sue, he might just be on a late night stroll. Jack, D you guys might want to get into position.”
Hearing Bobby, Jack jumped off the bench he was lying on and quickly walked over to the corner that Sue had just gone around. Peering around the side, he could see Sue walking along the sidewalk. He also saw Price walking towards her. He fought the urge to race over to her and pull her out of harms was, watching from his position. He knew that D and Bobby were closer to her than he was and they would do everything they could to ensure Sue was safe.
Jack could tell from his position that Price was getting close and he had still not made any indication that he was out for anything other than a walk. He felt his body tense as Price got to Sue, but just walked straight past her and appeared to ignore her completely. He was about to get on the radio to Bobby when he saw Price turn and grab Sue’s arm.
As soon as that happened, Myles, Bobby, D and Jack all came out of their positions, guns trained on Price. Jack ushered Sue into a nearby doorway with Levi and she watched as the four men in her life cuffed Price and took him to the waiting van.
Deaf club had gone off without a hitch. Jack and the rest of team had reported seeing no one suspicious in the immediate vicinity. They all had a recent photograph of Price and were scrutinising every man that walked past but so far, he was nowhere to be seen.
Jack was seated on a bench in the park directly opposite the place where deaf club was held. He was dressed as a tramp and covered in newspapers as not to alert suspicion. He watched as he saw Sue leave deaf club with Levi in toe.
“Bobby, she has just exited the building, she should be coming around the corner any minute now.” Jack told his partner.
“I have her mate. Still no sign of Price. If he is going to turn up this is the ideal place. It’s a quiet stretch of road until you come to the next block.” Bobby said.
“Bobby, we have a man fitting Price’s description in view. He is turning onto your block……now.” Myles’ voice said over the radio
“I have him Myles.” Bobby said as he shifted his position to get a clearer view of the man Myles was referring to.
Using the scope that he had set up in the surveillance van, he looked at the man that Myles had just spotted. Checking him against the picture he had he got back on the comm.
“Okay everyone, I have Marcus Price in sight. He is about thirty feet away from Sue. We can’t take him until we are sure that he is after Sue, he might just be on a late night stroll. Jack, D you guys might want to get into position.”
Hearing Bobby, Jack jumped off the bench he was lying on and quickly walked over to the corner that Sue had just gone around. Peering around the side, he could see Sue walking along the sidewalk. He also saw Price walking towards her. He fought the urge to race over to her and pull her out of harms was, watching from his position. He knew that D and Bobby were closer to her than he was and they would do everything they could to ensure Sue was safe.
Jack could tell from his position that Price was getting close and he had still not made any indication that he was out for anything other than a walk. He felt his body tense as Price got to Sue, but just walked straight past her and appeared to ignore her completely. He was about to get on the radio to Bobby when he saw Price turn and grab Sue’s arm.
As soon as that happened, Myles, Bobby, D and Jack all came out of their positions, guns trained on Price. Jack ushered Sue into a nearby doorway with Levi and she watched as the four men in her life cuffed Price and took him to the waiting van.
1 November 2011
Hear No Evil - Chapter 44
“We know that this guy is after me next. We also know that he tends to get these women when they are on their own and out of direct sight of the public. Why don’t we give him the opportunity to get at me?”
The whole team were sat in the conference room listening to Sue’s idea to catch Marcus Price. Due to the nature of what Sue had in mind, she asked Garrett to be present as only he could authorise what she wanted to do.
As Sue spoke, she kept glancing at Jack. She could tell by the way his jaw was set and by the look in his eyes that he wasn’t happy with her idea. She’d known he wouldn’t be. She knew that he wouldn’t have been happy putting any of the team in harm’s way, but with her it would be different. Not just because she wasn’t an agent, but because of his feelings for her.
“I am due to go to deaf club tomorrow night. I usually park my car three blocks away and walk to and from the club. If he is after me, that would be the ideal time, probably after the club as there would be less people about due to the time. There are plenty of places along the route where we could place agents and we can have the surveillance van just around the corner from the club. I can’t see him going after me right in front of the club, there would be too many people around. He would wait until I’d moved away.” Sue glanced at the team and then turned to Garrett. “It can work sir. There will be enough agents around to stop the guy should he show up and I can wear a vest just in case.”
As Sue finished speaking, She looked around the table at her friends, her eyes resting on Jack. She could tell that he wasn’t happy with her plan as he turned to Garrett.
“I don’t like it sir. With respect, Sue is not an agent and she isn’t used to these sorts of situations. We would be putting her at great risk and we have no way of knowing where along the route Price will try and grab Sue. There are too many things that could go wrong, too many variables.”
“Usually I would agree with you mate but we have enough experience amongst us to keep a trained eye on Sue at all times and we will have guys in place to strike if the need arises. Hopefully we can spot this guy before he gets anywhere near Sue and grab him in plenty of time.”
Sue gave Bobby a small smile before turning back to Jack whose eyes were watching her intensely. She looked back at Garrett as he spoke.
“I agree.” Garrett said as he held up his hand as Jack began to protest. “I understand your concerns Agent Hudson but Manning is right. This may be the only chance we have to catch this guy in the act. I shall approve the operation.” Garrett paused before turning to Sue. “Jack is right Thomas, you don’t have any experience in these situations. You do whatever the agents tell you to do and you do not, under any circumstances deviate from the set route or go off on your own. Do I make myself clear?” Garrett said.
“Yes sir.” Sue said and nodded at the same time.
“Don’t let me down. Let’s get this guy.” Garrett said.
With that, Garrett stood up and left the conference room. Sensing the tension between their two friends, the rest of the team stood and followed Garrett from the room, leaving Jack and Sue alone.
oOo
It took Jack a few moments before he said anything, well aware that his dislike for her taking this assignment was purely personal.
“You’re not doing this Sue. I am not going to risk anything happening to you.”
“Jack, I appreciate your concern but I have to do this. We still have one woman missing, possible dead.” Sue paused and looked down before continuing. “If we don’t do this, we may never find her.”
“What if something should happen?” Jack started. “What if he……” He stopped talking, the thought of what could happen too much for him to even contemplate.
“Then you will just have to come in a rescue me won’t you? I’m counting on you and the guys being there if anything should go wrong.”
Sighing deeply, Jack ran his fingers through his dark hair and quickly got up from his seat. In only two strides he was in front of her, his hands taking hold of hers.
“I couldn’t bear it if anything was to happen to you Sue.” Jack confessed. “We have only just found each other and…”
“And what Jack?”
Jack looked up into her eyes, smiling at the thought of what he was about to say. Here I go, he thought to himself.
“I love you Sue.”
Sue gasped as she read the three words she had longed to see come from his lips. The tears threatened to fall down her cheeks and she hoped her voice was steady as she spoke.
“I love you too Jack.”
He smiled as he settled his hands at her waist, enjoying the way that her whole body reacted to his touch. As he looked at her he saw only love in her eyes and knew that they reflected what she could see in his own. He stepped closer and lowered his head to softly kiss her neck. He felt the trembling throughout her body and heard her catch her breath as he hands rested on his upper arms. He edged his body closer and brushed her hair to the side, giving him better access to her slender neck. His hands held her waist, preventing her from moving from his grasp. He slipped a finger inside her shirt between buttons to softly caress her flat stomach. He felt her muscles react to his touch and her whole body shook with the intensity of their feelings. He glanced down and noticed that her hands had moved and she was holding onto the table. Running his finger around her belly button, he felt her sigh as her breath hit his cheek.
He reached up to cup her cheek, turning her head so that he could run his lips from her earlobe to the corner of her mouth. Feeling her begin to move restlessly he dropped his hands and ran them down her body and intertwined his fingers with hers, trapping her against the table again.
Her hands, not able to grip the table anymore, clutched his shoulders, hoping to stay on her feet as his mouth did enticing things to her neck. As Jack continued his onslaught, she allowed her hands to move down from his shoulders. She loved the feel of his strong chest and his firm, smooth stomach beneath the thin material of his shirt. Before she knew what was happening, her fingers were working on the buttons, giving her hands access to the bared skin beneath. As she slowly inched her hands upward towards his shoulders, Jack’s shirt fell away, slid down his arms and onto the floor.
She took a moment to look at him before lowering her head and pressing her lips to his bare skin. Jack’s reaction almost knocked her off her feet as he lifted her head and took her lips in a kiss that left no doubt as to his intentions.
When Jack released her lips, Sue allowed her head to fall forward, bringing her mouth in contact with Jack’s now shirt-free chest. As she peppered kisses across his collarbone, she could feel the vibrations in his chest and felt his hands tighten around her. Spurred on by his reaction to her, she made her way back to his neck and nibbled where she felt his racing pulse. His reaction was swift and immediate as he picked her up, set her on the table, wrapped her legs around his back and crushed his lips to hers, pushing his tongue past her parted lips to taste her completely. He hesitated slightly before his fingers made easy work of the buttons of her blouse and it joined his on the floor. The feel of her bare skin on his was almost his undoing as he fought to regain some control of a situation he knew was getting quickly out of control. But as she kissed his neck, her hands on his chest, stopping was the farthest thing from his mind.
Taking her face in his hand, he pressed his lips to her again as her arms locked around his neck as she pulled him closer, their bodies as close as they could be. It was the urgent need for oxygen that made it necessary for them to stop and Jack rested his forehead against hers, fighting to regain the control that he had almost lost completely.
Sue looked at Jack, her breathing erratic as she fought to regain some composure. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that she wanted Jack. That she wanted to be with him in all of the ways that she promised herself she would wait for. She saw the look in his eyes and knew he felt the same as she did. She smiled at him as he bent to retrieve their discarded shirts, suddenly aware that only the thin material of her bra covered her modesty.
Jack handed her back her blouse and put his shirt back on. He turned to see her standing by him and smiled at her appearance. She had only done up two of the buttons and his fingers urged to touch the soft skin of her stomach that was still visible to him.
“Come on, let’s get you home before I change my mind and take that blouse back off you.”
Sue smiled and felt the flush creep to her cheeks and fastened the remaining buttons on the now crumpled shirt. Taking Jack’s hand, they left the conference room and headed in the direction of the parking garage, avoiding the bullpen completely.
The whole team were sat in the conference room listening to Sue’s idea to catch Marcus Price. Due to the nature of what Sue had in mind, she asked Garrett to be present as only he could authorise what she wanted to do.
As Sue spoke, she kept glancing at Jack. She could tell by the way his jaw was set and by the look in his eyes that he wasn’t happy with her idea. She’d known he wouldn’t be. She knew that he wouldn’t have been happy putting any of the team in harm’s way, but with her it would be different. Not just because she wasn’t an agent, but because of his feelings for her.
“I am due to go to deaf club tomorrow night. I usually park my car three blocks away and walk to and from the club. If he is after me, that would be the ideal time, probably after the club as there would be less people about due to the time. There are plenty of places along the route where we could place agents and we can have the surveillance van just around the corner from the club. I can’t see him going after me right in front of the club, there would be too many people around. He would wait until I’d moved away.” Sue glanced at the team and then turned to Garrett. “It can work sir. There will be enough agents around to stop the guy should he show up and I can wear a vest just in case.”
As Sue finished speaking, She looked around the table at her friends, her eyes resting on Jack. She could tell that he wasn’t happy with her plan as he turned to Garrett.
“I don’t like it sir. With respect, Sue is not an agent and she isn’t used to these sorts of situations. We would be putting her at great risk and we have no way of knowing where along the route Price will try and grab Sue. There are too many things that could go wrong, too many variables.”
“Usually I would agree with you mate but we have enough experience amongst us to keep a trained eye on Sue at all times and we will have guys in place to strike if the need arises. Hopefully we can spot this guy before he gets anywhere near Sue and grab him in plenty of time.”
Sue gave Bobby a small smile before turning back to Jack whose eyes were watching her intensely. She looked back at Garrett as he spoke.
“I agree.” Garrett said as he held up his hand as Jack began to protest. “I understand your concerns Agent Hudson but Manning is right. This may be the only chance we have to catch this guy in the act. I shall approve the operation.” Garrett paused before turning to Sue. “Jack is right Thomas, you don’t have any experience in these situations. You do whatever the agents tell you to do and you do not, under any circumstances deviate from the set route or go off on your own. Do I make myself clear?” Garrett said.
“Yes sir.” Sue said and nodded at the same time.
“Don’t let me down. Let’s get this guy.” Garrett said.
With that, Garrett stood up and left the conference room. Sensing the tension between their two friends, the rest of the team stood and followed Garrett from the room, leaving Jack and Sue alone.
oOo
It took Jack a few moments before he said anything, well aware that his dislike for her taking this assignment was purely personal.
“You’re not doing this Sue. I am not going to risk anything happening to you.”
“Jack, I appreciate your concern but I have to do this. We still have one woman missing, possible dead.” Sue paused and looked down before continuing. “If we don’t do this, we may never find her.”
“What if something should happen?” Jack started. “What if he……” He stopped talking, the thought of what could happen too much for him to even contemplate.
“Then you will just have to come in a rescue me won’t you? I’m counting on you and the guys being there if anything should go wrong.”
Sighing deeply, Jack ran his fingers through his dark hair and quickly got up from his seat. In only two strides he was in front of her, his hands taking hold of hers.
“I couldn’t bear it if anything was to happen to you Sue.” Jack confessed. “We have only just found each other and…”
“And what Jack?”
Jack looked up into her eyes, smiling at the thought of what he was about to say. Here I go, he thought to himself.
“I love you Sue.”
Sue gasped as she read the three words she had longed to see come from his lips. The tears threatened to fall down her cheeks and she hoped her voice was steady as she spoke.
“I love you too Jack.”
He smiled as he settled his hands at her waist, enjoying the way that her whole body reacted to his touch. As he looked at her he saw only love in her eyes and knew that they reflected what she could see in his own. He stepped closer and lowered his head to softly kiss her neck. He felt the trembling throughout her body and heard her catch her breath as he hands rested on his upper arms. He edged his body closer and brushed her hair to the side, giving him better access to her slender neck. His hands held her waist, preventing her from moving from his grasp. He slipped a finger inside her shirt between buttons to softly caress her flat stomach. He felt her muscles react to his touch and her whole body shook with the intensity of their feelings. He glanced down and noticed that her hands had moved and she was holding onto the table. Running his finger around her belly button, he felt her sigh as her breath hit his cheek.
He reached up to cup her cheek, turning her head so that he could run his lips from her earlobe to the corner of her mouth. Feeling her begin to move restlessly he dropped his hands and ran them down her body and intertwined his fingers with hers, trapping her against the table again.
Her hands, not able to grip the table anymore, clutched his shoulders, hoping to stay on her feet as his mouth did enticing things to her neck. As Jack continued his onslaught, she allowed her hands to move down from his shoulders. She loved the feel of his strong chest and his firm, smooth stomach beneath the thin material of his shirt. Before she knew what was happening, her fingers were working on the buttons, giving her hands access to the bared skin beneath. As she slowly inched her hands upward towards his shoulders, Jack’s shirt fell away, slid down his arms and onto the floor.
She took a moment to look at him before lowering her head and pressing her lips to his bare skin. Jack’s reaction almost knocked her off her feet as he lifted her head and took her lips in a kiss that left no doubt as to his intentions.
When Jack released her lips, Sue allowed her head to fall forward, bringing her mouth in contact with Jack’s now shirt-free chest. As she peppered kisses across his collarbone, she could feel the vibrations in his chest and felt his hands tighten around her. Spurred on by his reaction to her, she made her way back to his neck and nibbled where she felt his racing pulse. His reaction was swift and immediate as he picked her up, set her on the table, wrapped her legs around his back and crushed his lips to hers, pushing his tongue past her parted lips to taste her completely. He hesitated slightly before his fingers made easy work of the buttons of her blouse and it joined his on the floor. The feel of her bare skin on his was almost his undoing as he fought to regain some control of a situation he knew was getting quickly out of control. But as she kissed his neck, her hands on his chest, stopping was the farthest thing from his mind.
Taking her face in his hand, he pressed his lips to her again as her arms locked around his neck as she pulled him closer, their bodies as close as they could be. It was the urgent need for oxygen that made it necessary for them to stop and Jack rested his forehead against hers, fighting to regain the control that he had almost lost completely.
Sue looked at Jack, her breathing erratic as she fought to regain some composure. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that she wanted Jack. That she wanted to be with him in all of the ways that she promised herself she would wait for. She saw the look in his eyes and knew he felt the same as she did. She smiled at him as he bent to retrieve their discarded shirts, suddenly aware that only the thin material of her bra covered her modesty.
Jack handed her back her blouse and put his shirt back on. He turned to see her standing by him and smiled at her appearance. She had only done up two of the buttons and his fingers urged to touch the soft skin of her stomach that was still visible to him.
“Come on, let’s get you home before I change my mind and take that blouse back off you.”
Sue smiled and felt the flush creep to her cheeks and fastened the remaining buttons on the now crumpled shirt. Taking Jack’s hand, they left the conference room and headed in the direction of the parking garage, avoiding the bullpen completely.
Hear No Evil - Chapter 43
“Hey Bobby it’s me. We just spoke with Rosemary White. She wasn’t able to give us much information about the guy that took her, she was blindfolded most of the time. All she could say was that he was tall, longish hair and probably left handed. She does recall two of the women from her speech class but never actually met them. She said she heard Barbara Casey mention them along with a boy named Mark. Has Tara finished the background check on Barbara Casey yet? Okay, tell her to get on it as priority. Ms Casey told Sue and I that she had no idea why three of the girls were pulled from her classes but our information says otherwise. Yeah we are on our way in now. Bye Crash.”
As they approached the car, Jack stopped when he felt Sue take his hand to stop him. He turned to look at her and could see the questions in her eyes.
“Jack, you don’t think that Ms Casey could be involved in any of this do you?” She asked him quietly.
Taking her other hand in his and squeezing gently, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to lie to her, no matter how much he wanted to spare her feelings.
“I honestly don’t know Sue. It looks like she lied to us about not knowing why the girls were taken out of her class and there must be a reason for that. I think she may have been protecting the boy but for what reason I don’t know. The question is, why lie about it now?”
Jack watched as Sue nodded her understanding and climbed into the car. He let out a long sigh and walked around to his side. He hated it when cases got personal for Sue. Her instincts about people were usually correct but when cases involved people that she knew and cared about, she tended to let her personal feelings get the better of her. He just hoped that this case wasn’t going to prove too much for her. They still had one missing women and he knew that they needed Sue’s help to find them.
oOo
Half an hour later, Jack and Sue walked into the bullpen. As soon as they entered everything went quiet. Sue looked at Jack, picking up on the change in mood despite not being able to hear the silence in the room. Jack furrowed his brow at her and looked at Bobby. He knew his best friend too well to know that the look on his face did not mean good news.
“What’s going on Crash?” Jack asked as he felt Sue slide her hand into his.
“This came through a little over five minutes ago. It’s an e-mail that appears to have been sent to the central FBI mailbox but somehow ended up in Tara’s inbox. It’s not good mate.”
Jack watched as Bobby approached and handed him a piece of paper. As soon as he saw the images his blood turned to ice and he felt the colour drain from his face, his hand instinctively tightening around Sue’s. The wording on the e-mail was simple “SHE IS NEXT.” Attached to the e-mail were pictures of Sue and Jack at the fairground.
“Jack? What is it Jack?” He heard Sue ask.
He turned to look at her and tentatively handed her the e-mail. She raised a hand to her mouth when she read it and saw the picture, realising where and when the pictures had been taken.
“He was following us Jack. He was at the fairground. What does this mean?”
“It means that we are not taking any chances. You are going into a safe house until we can catch this guy.”
Half expecting her to object, he was surprised when she just nodded at the same time as Tara shouted and waved to get everyone’s attention.
“Guys, I think I may have something. Jack, you mentioned that Rosemary saw Barbara Casey mention the name Mark when discussing the first two women?” Jack nodded. “Well, I ran a check on Ms Casey and she came back clean. However, the same cannot be said for her son. Marcus Joseph Price was released from prison six months ago. He has served fifteen years for a serious sexual assault on several young girls ranging from eight to fourteen. He would have been seventeen at the time Sue was seeing Miss Casey.”
“That’s why she never did anything about it back then. She knew that it was her son and she lied to protect him. Bobby, I want you to arrange to get Ms Casey here asap. We need to see her again and ask her more specific questions about her lovely son. Tara, see if you can find any more information, current address, parole officer anything that could tell us where he is. D, Myles check the CCTV footage from the swim club and cinema, see if anyone who looks like Marcus Price can be seen in the area around the time the women disappeared.”
As Jack was about to tell Lucy what he wanted her to do, he felt Sue touch his upper arm and he turned to face her. The look on her face was one of determination.
“Jack, I think I know a way that we can get him.”
30 October 2011
Hear No Evil - Chapter 42
Forty minutes later, Jack and Sue were on their way back to the Hoover building after visiting Sophie Morgan’s father. He was also able to confirm that the reason he had taken his daughter out of speech classes was because a boy kept on pestering his daughter. He also said that he had spoken with Ms Casey about it but he didn’t believe anything had been done as his daughter became more and more withdrawn after every lesson. He’d felt like he had no other choice but to move her to another teacher.
“Jack, why would Ms Casey lie to us? She must have known that the reason why the families took Claire and Sophie out of her classes. Why wouldn’t she tell us about it?”
Sue looked to Jack for answers but she knew that he was as much in the dark as she was. Ms Casey had lied to their faces and she didn’t dare think of the possible reasons for that.
“I think she might know more than she is letting on Sue. By not doing anything back then and by not telling us about it now, it almost looks like she is trying to protect whoever it was. But the question is, why still keep it a secret after almost twenty years?”
Sue was about to speak when she saw Jack raise his hand. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he answered.
“Hudson……Hey Bobby……You’re kidding me……okay we shall go there now……thanks Crash.” He turned to Sue. “Rosemary White has just turned up at home.”
oOo
After breaking every speed limit on the way to the White residence, Jack and Sue arrived less than five minutes after Bobby’s call. They knocked on the door and James White answered. He gave them a small smile and stepped aside so that they could enter.
“I expected you to come by. She is in the living room.” James said as he closed the door behind them.
“How is she doing Mr White?” Sue asked.
“She seems okay considering what she has been through. She hasn’t said much, you might have more luck with her. I shall leave you alone. I will be in the kitchen if you need me.
Sue nodded at Mr White and watched as he left. Part of her felt sorry for him. She knew that there was every chance the little girl he believed to be his daughter wasn’t his, his wife might be seeing someone else and now that she’d been returned she wouldn’t talk to him about what she’d been through. Turning when she felt Jack’s hand on her arm, she smiled.
“You want to go first? She knows you.”
Sue nodded and smiled at Jack as she headed into the living room to see Rosemary sitting on the couch with baby Emily in her arms, gently rocking her back and forward. Sue almost gasped at the sight of the friend she had not seen in over twelve months. She used to be a woman who took pride in her appearance, dressed well, always well presented with not a hair out of place. The woman sitting in front of her was wearing ill fitting clothes, her hair was long and straggly and she looked a lot older than her thirty three years. She knew Jack was standing beside her and she could sense that he was looking at her.
“Are you going to be okay with this? I can ask the questions if you prefer?”
“It’s okay Jack. She may feel more comfortable using ASL. I will be okay.”
Sue smiled at Jack and he returned hers with one of his own. He his smile was encouraging but she could tell that he wasn’t convinced she would be okay and he was still worried about how she would cope. If she was honest with herself, she wasn’t sure either. This was a woman that she used to see on a weekly basis. Sue and Jack waited and watched as she laid her daughter down in her bassinette and sat back on the couch. Taking a deep breath, Sue walked around the couch and sat next to Rosemary. She gently touched her arm and the women turned to look at her.
“Sue! Oh my goodness. Thank heavens you came. I have missed you so much.”
Sue was a little taken aback when Rosemary grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. She gently held her and could tell that she was crying as her shoulder shook. After a few minutes she pulled away.
“I hoped that you would somehow be involved with finding me. I knew you were with the FBI and I prayed that you would help me.” She smiled at Sue as she noticed Jack. “Who are you?” she asked cautiously.
“Rosemary, this is my partner Jack Hudson. I know this is going to be hard, but we need to ask you some questions about the person who took you. Do you think you will be okay to answer them?” Sue said as gently as she could.
“Yes, I understand you need to do your job. I want to help you catch this creep.”
Sue smiled at her friend and then turned to Jack who took a seat opposite them on the couch. He glanced towards baby Emily as he heard her whimper and then calm down. Part of him wondered how she coped with a baby when she was on her own. She didn’t appear to have a hearing dog like Sue had Levi. Did her husband work or was he a stay at home dad?
“Rosemary, can you remember anything about the person who took you?” Jack asked her.
“Not really, he kept me blindfolded most of the time. When he did take it off, I was in a darkened room so my vision was limited and I couldn’t make out specific features. All I can tell you is that he was quite tall with longish hair to his shoulders. I think he may have been left handed. The times that I did see him, he seemed to be holding things in his left hand.”
“That’s good Rosemary. Was there anyone else there with you?” Sue asked.
“I know that I wasn’t alone. There was at least two other women there with me, maybe three, I don’t know exactly. It was hard to tell.”
Sue glanced at Jack and the look on his face told her the question he was about to ask. She knew that it was a necessary question and that there was no way it could be avoided.
“Rosemary, I know that this is difficult for you but we need to know if he did anything to you?”
Whilst Sue couldn’t hear his voice, she could tell by the look in his eyes and the softness of his handsome features that he’d been as gentle as he could when asking the question. Forcing herself to look back at her friend and not at her partner, she sighed.
“No, he was quite kind considering. We had food and water and he never laid a finger on us, at least he didn’t lay one on me anyway, I can’t say about the others.”
Sue glanced over at Jack again, knowing that they had to mention that two of the women have been found dead and she wasn’t looking forward to her reaction.
“Do you have any idea why he released you and not the other girls?” Sue said.
“I honestly don’t know. One minute I was begging him to let me go and the next thing I knew, I was standing in an empty parking lot.” Rosemary said before she turned to Sue. “Wait a minute; he did release the other girls didn’t he? When I left there was only one other girl there.” She looked between Jack and Sue. “What’s happened? What aren’t you telling me?”
Reaching out, Sue took her friends hand, feeling the tears welling behind her lashes but forcing them to stay where they were.
“Rosemary, we found the bodies of Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan earlier today. We believe that they were also taken by the same person who took you. If this is the case, we need to try and find out why you were released and two of the other girls weren’t.”
Sue watched as Rosemary took in the information, her expression remaining passive. Sue almost thought that she hadn’t understood what she’d said.
“Did you say Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan?” Sue nodded. “I know those names from somewhere.”
Sue looked at Jack and then back at Rosemary who appeared to be thinking hard about the two women.
“Rosemary it appears that you and the other three women all attended speech classes with Barbara Casey when you were girls.” Jack told her.
“So did I.” Sue said with a smile, “We were all there at the same time but on different days. I don’t recall meeting the other girls. Do you remember meeting them at all?”
“Not directly but I remember Ms Casey talking about them. It was towards the end of my classes and I had picked up the lip reading quite well. I couldn’t read everything that she was saying but I remember her mentioning their names along with another name, a boy’s name.”
Sue’s eyes widened as she saw Jack lean in closer to Rosemary, his eyes fixed on her.
“Can you remember the boys name?” he asked her.
“Mark. It was Mark. I remember it because it was the name of a guy I was seeing at the time.”
Sue looked at Jack, her eyes telling him exactly what she wanted to say. He nodded and took over the conversation.
“Can you remember anything about this Mark?” He asked
“No not really, we saw each other for about four months towards the end of my lessons. He was a few years older than me. Nice guy but he couldn’t cope with the fact that I was deaf and that it wasn’t something that would miraculously vanish overnight. He just stopped showing up and I haven’t seen him in years.” Rosemary explained.
Sue nodded her understanding as Rosemary spoke. She had met guys before who loved the idea of going out with a woman who was deaf. She found that it made them feel superior and like they were needed. When it came down to it, they weren’t prepared to alter their life to fit in with hers so they had always left.
“Rosemary, I have one last question for you? On the night you were taken, your husband told us that you were had gone to deaf club. Now, we know that isn’t true. Can you tell us where you were that night?” Jack asked her.
Sue picked up on Rosemary’s hesitancy as she looked away from Jack and down at her hands that she held in her lap. Reaching out Sue touched her arm, smiling when the other woman looked up at her.
“I figured someone would work it out sooner or later. I went to see Chris. He is an old friend of mine. I was seeing him before James and we have remained friends. There is nothing more between us other than friends but if my husband found out he would go mad. He doesn’t like me having anything to do with him anymore so I tell James that I’m going to deaf club.” She explained.
“Is that the only reason that you go and see him Rosemary? Just friends?”
Again, Rosemary hesitated with her response. Sue watched as she looked between her and Jack before she sighed deeply.
“You know don’t you? Emily is not James’ daughter, she is Chris’. James knows about it and took Emily on as his own. This is why he doesn’t want me going to see him. He feels that my keeping in touch I am somehow betraying him. I only go round to pass him photos of Emily. He has agreed to stay out of her life and lets James and I bring her up as our own but I still think he should get to see her, even if it is not in the flesh.”
Taking her cue from Jack, Sue stood.
“Thanks for your time Rosemary. You have been a great help. If we need anything else we shall be in touch.”
Rosemary nodded at Jack and picked up baby Emily, who was beginning to get a bit restless. They moved towards the front door and were stopped by Mr White.
“Did she say anything helpful? She won’t talk to me about what happened.” James said.
“She gave us some information that we can follow up on. Just give her some time Mr White. I am sure she will open up to you eventually. She has been through an ordeal, sometimes it is hard to discuss things like that with those that you love.” Sue explained.
Mr White nodded and opened the door for Jack and Sue to leave. As soon as they were out of the door, Jack was on his phone to Bobby.
“Jack, why would Ms Casey lie to us? She must have known that the reason why the families took Claire and Sophie out of her classes. Why wouldn’t she tell us about it?”
Sue looked to Jack for answers but she knew that he was as much in the dark as she was. Ms Casey had lied to their faces and she didn’t dare think of the possible reasons for that.
“I think she might know more than she is letting on Sue. By not doing anything back then and by not telling us about it now, it almost looks like she is trying to protect whoever it was. But the question is, why still keep it a secret after almost twenty years?”
Sue was about to speak when she saw Jack raise his hand. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he answered.
“Hudson……Hey Bobby……You’re kidding me……okay we shall go there now……thanks Crash.” He turned to Sue. “Rosemary White has just turned up at home.”
oOo
After breaking every speed limit on the way to the White residence, Jack and Sue arrived less than five minutes after Bobby’s call. They knocked on the door and James White answered. He gave them a small smile and stepped aside so that they could enter.
“I expected you to come by. She is in the living room.” James said as he closed the door behind them.
“How is she doing Mr White?” Sue asked.
“She seems okay considering what she has been through. She hasn’t said much, you might have more luck with her. I shall leave you alone. I will be in the kitchen if you need me.
Sue nodded at Mr White and watched as he left. Part of her felt sorry for him. She knew that there was every chance the little girl he believed to be his daughter wasn’t his, his wife might be seeing someone else and now that she’d been returned she wouldn’t talk to him about what she’d been through. Turning when she felt Jack’s hand on her arm, she smiled.
“You want to go first? She knows you.”
Sue nodded and smiled at Jack as she headed into the living room to see Rosemary sitting on the couch with baby Emily in her arms, gently rocking her back and forward. Sue almost gasped at the sight of the friend she had not seen in over twelve months. She used to be a woman who took pride in her appearance, dressed well, always well presented with not a hair out of place. The woman sitting in front of her was wearing ill fitting clothes, her hair was long and straggly and she looked a lot older than her thirty three years. She knew Jack was standing beside her and she could sense that he was looking at her.
“Are you going to be okay with this? I can ask the questions if you prefer?”
“It’s okay Jack. She may feel more comfortable using ASL. I will be okay.”
Sue smiled at Jack and he returned hers with one of his own. He his smile was encouraging but she could tell that he wasn’t convinced she would be okay and he was still worried about how she would cope. If she was honest with herself, she wasn’t sure either. This was a woman that she used to see on a weekly basis. Sue and Jack waited and watched as she laid her daughter down in her bassinette and sat back on the couch. Taking a deep breath, Sue walked around the couch and sat next to Rosemary. She gently touched her arm and the women turned to look at her.
“Sue! Oh my goodness. Thank heavens you came. I have missed you so much.”
Sue was a little taken aback when Rosemary grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. She gently held her and could tell that she was crying as her shoulder shook. After a few minutes she pulled away.
“I hoped that you would somehow be involved with finding me. I knew you were with the FBI and I prayed that you would help me.” She smiled at Sue as she noticed Jack. “Who are you?” she asked cautiously.
“Rosemary, this is my partner Jack Hudson. I know this is going to be hard, but we need to ask you some questions about the person who took you. Do you think you will be okay to answer them?” Sue said as gently as she could.
“Yes, I understand you need to do your job. I want to help you catch this creep.”
Sue smiled at her friend and then turned to Jack who took a seat opposite them on the couch. He glanced towards baby Emily as he heard her whimper and then calm down. Part of him wondered how she coped with a baby when she was on her own. She didn’t appear to have a hearing dog like Sue had Levi. Did her husband work or was he a stay at home dad?
“Rosemary, can you remember anything about the person who took you?” Jack asked her.
“Not really, he kept me blindfolded most of the time. When he did take it off, I was in a darkened room so my vision was limited and I couldn’t make out specific features. All I can tell you is that he was quite tall with longish hair to his shoulders. I think he may have been left handed. The times that I did see him, he seemed to be holding things in his left hand.”
“That’s good Rosemary. Was there anyone else there with you?” Sue asked.
“I know that I wasn’t alone. There was at least two other women there with me, maybe three, I don’t know exactly. It was hard to tell.”
Sue glanced at Jack and the look on his face told her the question he was about to ask. She knew that it was a necessary question and that there was no way it could be avoided.
“Rosemary, I know that this is difficult for you but we need to know if he did anything to you?”
Whilst Sue couldn’t hear his voice, she could tell by the look in his eyes and the softness of his handsome features that he’d been as gentle as he could when asking the question. Forcing herself to look back at her friend and not at her partner, she sighed.
“No, he was quite kind considering. We had food and water and he never laid a finger on us, at least he didn’t lay one on me anyway, I can’t say about the others.”
Sue glanced over at Jack again, knowing that they had to mention that two of the women have been found dead and she wasn’t looking forward to her reaction.
“Do you have any idea why he released you and not the other girls?” Sue said.
“I honestly don’t know. One minute I was begging him to let me go and the next thing I knew, I was standing in an empty parking lot.” Rosemary said before she turned to Sue. “Wait a minute; he did release the other girls didn’t he? When I left there was only one other girl there.” She looked between Jack and Sue. “What’s happened? What aren’t you telling me?”
Reaching out, Sue took her friends hand, feeling the tears welling behind her lashes but forcing them to stay where they were.
“Rosemary, we found the bodies of Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan earlier today. We believe that they were also taken by the same person who took you. If this is the case, we need to try and find out why you were released and two of the other girls weren’t.”
Sue watched as Rosemary took in the information, her expression remaining passive. Sue almost thought that she hadn’t understood what she’d said.
“Did you say Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan?” Sue nodded. “I know those names from somewhere.”
Sue looked at Jack and then back at Rosemary who appeared to be thinking hard about the two women.
“Rosemary it appears that you and the other three women all attended speech classes with Barbara Casey when you were girls.” Jack told her.
“So did I.” Sue said with a smile, “We were all there at the same time but on different days. I don’t recall meeting the other girls. Do you remember meeting them at all?”
“Not directly but I remember Ms Casey talking about them. It was towards the end of my classes and I had picked up the lip reading quite well. I couldn’t read everything that she was saying but I remember her mentioning their names along with another name, a boy’s name.”
Sue’s eyes widened as she saw Jack lean in closer to Rosemary, his eyes fixed on her.
“Can you remember the boys name?” he asked her.
“Mark. It was Mark. I remember it because it was the name of a guy I was seeing at the time.”
Sue looked at Jack, her eyes telling him exactly what she wanted to say. He nodded and took over the conversation.
“Can you remember anything about this Mark?” He asked
“No not really, we saw each other for about four months towards the end of my lessons. He was a few years older than me. Nice guy but he couldn’t cope with the fact that I was deaf and that it wasn’t something that would miraculously vanish overnight. He just stopped showing up and I haven’t seen him in years.” Rosemary explained.
Sue nodded her understanding as Rosemary spoke. She had met guys before who loved the idea of going out with a woman who was deaf. She found that it made them feel superior and like they were needed. When it came down to it, they weren’t prepared to alter their life to fit in with hers so they had always left.
“Rosemary, I have one last question for you? On the night you were taken, your husband told us that you were had gone to deaf club. Now, we know that isn’t true. Can you tell us where you were that night?” Jack asked her.
Sue picked up on Rosemary’s hesitancy as she looked away from Jack and down at her hands that she held in her lap. Reaching out Sue touched her arm, smiling when the other woman looked up at her.
“I figured someone would work it out sooner or later. I went to see Chris. He is an old friend of mine. I was seeing him before James and we have remained friends. There is nothing more between us other than friends but if my husband found out he would go mad. He doesn’t like me having anything to do with him anymore so I tell James that I’m going to deaf club.” She explained.
“Is that the only reason that you go and see him Rosemary? Just friends?”
Again, Rosemary hesitated with her response. Sue watched as she looked between her and Jack before she sighed deeply.
“You know don’t you? Emily is not James’ daughter, she is Chris’. James knows about it and took Emily on as his own. This is why he doesn’t want me going to see him. He feels that my keeping in touch I am somehow betraying him. I only go round to pass him photos of Emily. He has agreed to stay out of her life and lets James and I bring her up as our own but I still think he should get to see her, even if it is not in the flesh.”
Taking her cue from Jack, Sue stood.
“Thanks for your time Rosemary. You have been a great help. If we need anything else we shall be in touch.”
Rosemary nodded at Jack and picked up baby Emily, who was beginning to get a bit restless. They moved towards the front door and were stopped by Mr White.
“Did she say anything helpful? She won’t talk to me about what happened.” James said.
“She gave us some information that we can follow up on. Just give her some time Mr White. I am sure she will open up to you eventually. She has been through an ordeal, sometimes it is hard to discuss things like that with those that you love.” Sue explained.
Mr White nodded and opened the door for Jack and Sue to leave. As soon as they were out of the door, Jack was on his phone to Bobby.
Hear No Evil - Chapter 41
“Mrs Williams, I know that this is a difficult time for you and your family. We just need to ask you a few questions about your daughter’s time at speech lessons when she was a girl.”
Jack and Sue sat in the living room of Lindsay and Richard Williams. As they watched the older women, it was clear that she had spent most of the morning crying for her lost daughter. Sue couldn’t even begin to imagine what they were going through. She’d never lost anyone close to her and she hoped it would be a long time before she had to go through that the Williams’ were experiencing now.
“You mean back in Ohio with Ms Casey?” She asked as Jack nodded. “Ms Casey was a lovely women, Claire adored her. She always loved going to her classes but she would always come back very subdued. She was never the same girl that we left there earlier in the day. She didn’t say why to start with but then we managed to get out of her that one of the boys had been pestering her. She said that he wouldn’t leave her alone and kept following her around wherever she went. Claire was only nine at the time. She said this boy was probably about fifteen or sixteen. We did speak with Ms Casey about it and she said she would take it up with the boy’s parents but the problems didn’t stop. In the end we took her out of her classes and found her another teacher.”
Sue looked at Jack and could tell that he was thinking the same as she was. If Ms Casey was old of her daughter’s problem, why did she do nothing about it? The bigger question was why did she not tell them about it when they went to see her?
“Did you know the name of the boy Mrs Williams?” Sue asked.
“You know, now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever found out his name. Ms Casey said that she knew who it was and that she would deal with it. It never occurred to me to ask his name.”
“Thank you for your help Mrs Williams.” Jack said as they stood.
As Mrs Williams escorted them to the door, they said their goodbyes and offered their condolences as they left the house. When they were in the car, Sue looked at Jack. The way he was looking at her told her that there was something on his mind and Sue sensed that it was something to do with her.
“Is everything okay Jack? You look like there is something on your mind.” She asked him.
She watched as he turned to her, his facial expressions giving away nothing as to what he was thinking. A few more moments passed before he spoke.
“When you were seeing Ms Casey, did this boy ever pester you?
She smiled when she realised the reason for the solemn look on his handsome face. Reaching out she took his hand.
“No Jack. No one bothered me. My mom and dad used to drop me off and pick me up. The rest of the time I was with Ms Casey. I was rarely on my own.
She saw the expression on his face change, clearly relieved that she hadn’t had the same problems with this boy that the other girls had.
“Good, because I’m the only member of the male species who is allowed to pester you now.”
The smile and wink he threw at her were almost her undoing and she was pleased she was sitting down. He kept her eyes on him as he released her hand and put the car into gear. When the road was clear, he pulled away.
Jack and Sue sat in the living room of Lindsay and Richard Williams. As they watched the older women, it was clear that she had spent most of the morning crying for her lost daughter. Sue couldn’t even begin to imagine what they were going through. She’d never lost anyone close to her and she hoped it would be a long time before she had to go through that the Williams’ were experiencing now.
“You mean back in Ohio with Ms Casey?” She asked as Jack nodded. “Ms Casey was a lovely women, Claire adored her. She always loved going to her classes but she would always come back very subdued. She was never the same girl that we left there earlier in the day. She didn’t say why to start with but then we managed to get out of her that one of the boys had been pestering her. She said that he wouldn’t leave her alone and kept following her around wherever she went. Claire was only nine at the time. She said this boy was probably about fifteen or sixteen. We did speak with Ms Casey about it and she said she would take it up with the boy’s parents but the problems didn’t stop. In the end we took her out of her classes and found her another teacher.”
Sue looked at Jack and could tell that he was thinking the same as she was. If Ms Casey was old of her daughter’s problem, why did she do nothing about it? The bigger question was why did she not tell them about it when they went to see her?
“Did you know the name of the boy Mrs Williams?” Sue asked.
“You know, now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever found out his name. Ms Casey said that she knew who it was and that she would deal with it. It never occurred to me to ask his name.”
“Thank you for your help Mrs Williams.” Jack said as they stood.
As Mrs Williams escorted them to the door, they said their goodbyes and offered their condolences as they left the house. When they were in the car, Sue looked at Jack. The way he was looking at her told her that there was something on his mind and Sue sensed that it was something to do with her.
“Is everything okay Jack? You look like there is something on your mind.” She asked him.
She watched as he turned to her, his facial expressions giving away nothing as to what he was thinking. A few more moments passed before he spoke.
“When you were seeing Ms Casey, did this boy ever pester you?
She smiled when she realised the reason for the solemn look on his handsome face. Reaching out she took his hand.
“No Jack. No one bothered me. My mom and dad used to drop me off and pick me up. The rest of the time I was with Ms Casey. I was rarely on my own.
She saw the expression on his face change, clearly relieved that she hadn’t had the same problems with this boy that the other girls had.
“Good, because I’m the only member of the male species who is allowed to pester you now.”
The smile and wink he threw at her were almost her undoing and she was pleased she was sitting down. He kept her eyes on him as he released her hand and put the car into gear. When the road was clear, he pulled away.
Hear No Evil - Chapter 40
After scribbling a quick note for Sue’s parents, Jack and Sue left for the airport. Tara had sent Jack a message to let him know she had rearranged their flights and they were due to leave Ohio in a little over an hour’s time. They had packed their things and left the Thomas house, arriving back in the bullpen several hours later.
“Have we heard anything more Bobby?”Jack said as they walked in.
“It’s just been confirmed mate, the two women pulled out of the Potomac are Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan. It looks like our kidnapping has just escalated to a murder.” Bobby said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“That’s not all Crash. All four of the women went to the same speech teacher in Ohio. They were all taught by Barbara Casey around the same time as Sue did. Ms Casey couldn’t say if the women knew each other back then, or if they did as adults.”
Sue caught the look that Bobby was giving her and knew what he was thinking. Like Jack, Bobby could be over-protective, as could all of the guys, but at that moment, she still didn’t believe she was in any danger. There was no indication she was at risk.
“I know what you are going to say Bobby but I am not going into a safe house. We still have no reason to believe that this person will come after me.” Bobby opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Sue’s hand. “No buts Bobby, I appreciate your concern but I am staying at home with Lucy. This person is not going to scare me out of my own home.”
Sue watched as Bobby turned to Jack, obviously looking f or his best friend to agree with him. Jack looked between them before speaking.
“Sue, I understand how you feel but it is not just a kidnapper we are dealing with now. Two of these women have been killed. You can’t deny that the connections between the women also connect you. There are too many coincidences here Sue and I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t act on my instincts. It’s not very often that I pull rank, but I’m going to now. Seeing as you won’t move into a safe house, then we shall have to bring the safe house to you. You a Lucy will be having a house guest so make your choice.”
“But Jack...”
“No buts Sue. Neither you nor Lucy is armed so if anyone did come after you, you would be a sitting duck. One of us is going to stay with you until this case is over or we know with 100% certainty that you aren’t at risk.”
Sue looked at Lucy who had the biggest grin on her face. She inwardly groaned at what she knew her friend was thinking. The obvious choice would be Jack and judging by the looks on the faces of the others, they all thought she would pick Jack too. Under normal circumstances, she would love having Jack stay at her for a few days, but seeing as this was for a case, and when she and Jack were alone all thoughts of work went out the window, she decided that Jack probably wasn’t the best option.
“Okay, fine, if I have to have someone babysit me, then I pick Tara.” Sue said as she smiled at the only female agent in the bullpen.
“Great. Okay, Tara, you can go home and pack a bag for a few nights. “Jack said to her as the petite agent grabbed her purse and left the bullpen. Jack turned to Sue, “You and I have to go and speak with the women’s parents, see if they can tell us why they took their daughter’s out of Ms Casey’s class.”
Nodding, Sue followed him out of the bullpen and waited with him for the elevator. It was a few moments before Jack spoke.
“I know you think I’m being over-protective Sue, but I can’t say that I’m not worried about you. There are too many coincidences in this case and I’ve been around long enough not to believe in coincidences. I’m not going to risk anything happening to you Sue.”
“It’s okay Jack, I know you’re only doing what you think needs to be done. Besides, it might be fun having another woman in the house. Although poor old Levi is going to feel greatly outnumbered.” Sue said as she smiled down at her faithful companion who just lay on the floor and covered his nose with his paws.
Both Jack and Sue laughed at the canine before stepping into the elevator.
“Have we heard anything more Bobby?”Jack said as they walked in.
“It’s just been confirmed mate, the two women pulled out of the Potomac are Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan. It looks like our kidnapping has just escalated to a murder.” Bobby said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“That’s not all Crash. All four of the women went to the same speech teacher in Ohio. They were all taught by Barbara Casey around the same time as Sue did. Ms Casey couldn’t say if the women knew each other back then, or if they did as adults.”
Sue caught the look that Bobby was giving her and knew what he was thinking. Like Jack, Bobby could be over-protective, as could all of the guys, but at that moment, she still didn’t believe she was in any danger. There was no indication she was at risk.
“I know what you are going to say Bobby but I am not going into a safe house. We still have no reason to believe that this person will come after me.” Bobby opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Sue’s hand. “No buts Bobby, I appreciate your concern but I am staying at home with Lucy. This person is not going to scare me out of my own home.”
Sue watched as Bobby turned to Jack, obviously looking f or his best friend to agree with him. Jack looked between them before speaking.
“Sue, I understand how you feel but it is not just a kidnapper we are dealing with now. Two of these women have been killed. You can’t deny that the connections between the women also connect you. There are too many coincidences here Sue and I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I didn’t act on my instincts. It’s not very often that I pull rank, but I’m going to now. Seeing as you won’t move into a safe house, then we shall have to bring the safe house to you. You a Lucy will be having a house guest so make your choice.”
“But Jack...”
“No buts Sue. Neither you nor Lucy is armed so if anyone did come after you, you would be a sitting duck. One of us is going to stay with you until this case is over or we know with 100% certainty that you aren’t at risk.”
Sue looked at Lucy who had the biggest grin on her face. She inwardly groaned at what she knew her friend was thinking. The obvious choice would be Jack and judging by the looks on the faces of the others, they all thought she would pick Jack too. Under normal circumstances, she would love having Jack stay at her for a few days, but seeing as this was for a case, and when she and Jack were alone all thoughts of work went out the window, she decided that Jack probably wasn’t the best option.
“Okay, fine, if I have to have someone babysit me, then I pick Tara.” Sue said as she smiled at the only female agent in the bullpen.
“Great. Okay, Tara, you can go home and pack a bag for a few nights. “Jack said to her as the petite agent grabbed her purse and left the bullpen. Jack turned to Sue, “You and I have to go and speak with the women’s parents, see if they can tell us why they took their daughter’s out of Ms Casey’s class.”
Nodding, Sue followed him out of the bullpen and waited with him for the elevator. It was a few moments before Jack spoke.
“I know you think I’m being over-protective Sue, but I can’t say that I’m not worried about you. There are too many coincidences in this case and I’ve been around long enough not to believe in coincidences. I’m not going to risk anything happening to you Sue.”
“It’s okay Jack, I know you’re only doing what you think needs to be done. Besides, it might be fun having another woman in the house. Although poor old Levi is going to feel greatly outnumbered.” Sue said as she smiled down at her faithful companion who just lay on the floor and covered his nose with his paws.
Both Jack and Sue laughed at the canine before stepping into the elevator.
29 October 2011
Hear No Evil - Chapter 39
Several hours later, Jack and Sue returned from an afternoon in town. Sue had taken Jack to some of her favourite childhood haunts and Levi had been in his element chasing pigeons and squirrels in the park.
“On our way Crash.”
Despite the case they were working, Sue was happy being home, especially with Jack by her side. They had bumped into a couple of people that she’d gone to school with, many of whom still lived at home with their parents. She felt so proud of all that she’d achieved, especially with her disadvantages. What felt even better was introducing Jack as her boyfriend. That had gotten several “no ways” and “get out of here’s” from the girls they had bumped into. They had been practically drooling over him and she had never felt better about herself with him on her arm.
As they walked into the kitchen, Sue dropped her purse on couch and went through to the kitchen th get them a drink, picking up a note that had been left on the counter top.
Sue and Jack
Had to go out, Aunt Sylvia is not well. We will hopefully be back before you leave for D.C tomorrow but if not, it has been lovely seeing you both again. Please don’t leave it so long next time!
Love
Mom and Dad
P.S Dinner is in the oven.
“Looks like we have the place to ourselves.” Sue called to Jack as he came into the kitchen, “Mom and Dad had to go to Aunt Sylvia’s.”
“You mean I have you all to myself for the rest of the day.” Jack said with a smile.Sue smiled when she saw Jack waggle his eyebrows at her. She knew exactly what was running through his mind by the way he was looking at her, mainly because the same thing had popped into her mind too. Spending some alone time with Jack was always a good thing, and usually she would jump at the chance, but this was her parents house. When they were on their own, things tended to get pretty heated pretty quickly. They’d come close to crossing that barrier a few times and she didn’t feel that she could trust herself to stop if things got that far again, which she knew they would. She racked her brain to try and think of something for Jack to do, smiling when it came to her.
“Hadn’t you better get on the phone to Bobby to let him know what we have found out after speaking with Ms Casey?”
Sue almost laughed out loud as Jack’s shoulders slumped and he stuck out his bottom lip. She almost caved when he tried to turn his dark eyes on her but she turned to the fridge to get their drinks, opening the door and to let the chilly air cool her rapidly overheating body. Turning back she saw Jack was now in the living room about to dial when his phone rang. Answering, he turned and mouthed to her that it was Bobby.
“Hey Crash, you must be psychic, I was about to call you. I think we may have something here.”
“Well we definitely have something here Sparky. Two bodies have just been recovered from the Potomac. They haven’t been formally identified but the description matches those of Claire Williams and Sophie Morgan. I think you should get back here pronto. “On our way Crash.”
Hear No Evil - Chapter 38
When Jack and Sue arrived back at her parents, they walked in on a heated debate between them. Sue couldn’t hear what was being said, but the amount of arm waving that her mother was doing meant that it couldn’t be good. The look on her father’s face was one she had seen many times, usually when her mother was over reacting and blowing something up out of all proportion. Suddenly her mother stopped when she saw them enter the living room.
“I have just had to go through one of the most humiliating experiences of my life because of you two! I can’t believe you would do that to me.” Carla said as she came to stand in front of them.
Sue and Jack looked at each other, both clearly confused about what she was referring to.
“What are we meant to have done mother. Surely it can’t be that bad, we only got here last night.” Sue asked.
“I just went down to the shops to get something in for dinner tonight and I bumped into Sharon Holloway. You might remember her son Rick? You went to school with him.” Carla explained, her arms now folded across her chest.
Sue took a deep breath as it dawned on her what her mother was rambling about and she looked at Jack. From the expression on his face, he had realised what she was referring to as well.
“Mom, I know what you are going to say and before you do, I want to say something. Jack and I are adults. We knew what we were doing and we didn’t do anyone any harm.” Sue said.
“Didn’t do anyone any harm? Did you hear that Paul? She was all over Jack in a public place and she didn’t do any harm? Didn’t you think about how that would look to everyone in the diner? I can’t believe you would do that Susan. I thought I had brought you up better than that.”
Sue opened her mouth to speak but was silenced when Jack squeezed her hand and he began to speak.
“You have raised her very well Mrs Thomas, but if you had heard what that Rick chap said to Sue, you might understand a little more. All through high school Sue had to put up with being teased and taunted just because she was different. It didn’t matter to them that she got straight A’s or that she was a lovely person, all they were bothered about was her deafness and how it made them look to be associated with her. Rick Holloway still has a problem with Sue’s deafness and he made that clear when she told him she worked for the FBI. He couldn’t believe that the FBI would employ someone like Sue and we just wanted to prove to him that she is just as normal as you and I. That she was capable of living her own life, of having a boyfriend and working. I know it probably wasn’t the best way to go about it but it felt right at the time. We didn’t do it to humiliate you, if fact, you and Paul never entered our heads at the time. I am sorry if you have been upset by all of this but that wasn’t our intention.”
Sue looked at Jack as he spoke and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. Pulling her hand from his, she moved to his side and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her side. His arm went round her shoulder as they waited for a response from Carla, instead, it was Paul who spoke first.
“Jack is right dear. You know as well as I do what Suzie had to put up with at school. They are both adults and I am sure no harm was intended, especially to you.”
Sue smiled at her dad and then turned her attention back to her mother. By the look on her face she could see that she was still deciding how to respond to Jack’s words. It was a few more moments before Carla sighed and unfolded her arms.
“Apology accepted. But I still think that that kind of intimacy should be kept behind closed doors.”
With those final words, Carla walked out of the living room and went upstairs. It wasn’t until they heard the bedroom door close that the three remaining adults released the laughter they had been holding inside.
“I have just had to go through one of the most humiliating experiences of my life because of you two! I can’t believe you would do that to me.” Carla said as she came to stand in front of them.
Sue and Jack looked at each other, both clearly confused about what she was referring to.
“What are we meant to have done mother. Surely it can’t be that bad, we only got here last night.” Sue asked.
“I just went down to the shops to get something in for dinner tonight and I bumped into Sharon Holloway. You might remember her son Rick? You went to school with him.” Carla explained, her arms now folded across her chest.
Sue took a deep breath as it dawned on her what her mother was rambling about and she looked at Jack. From the expression on his face, he had realised what she was referring to as well.
“Mom, I know what you are going to say and before you do, I want to say something. Jack and I are adults. We knew what we were doing and we didn’t do anyone any harm.” Sue said.
“Didn’t do anyone any harm? Did you hear that Paul? She was all over Jack in a public place and she didn’t do any harm? Didn’t you think about how that would look to everyone in the diner? I can’t believe you would do that Susan. I thought I had brought you up better than that.”
Sue opened her mouth to speak but was silenced when Jack squeezed her hand and he began to speak.
“You have raised her very well Mrs Thomas, but if you had heard what that Rick chap said to Sue, you might understand a little more. All through high school Sue had to put up with being teased and taunted just because she was different. It didn’t matter to them that she got straight A’s or that she was a lovely person, all they were bothered about was her deafness and how it made them look to be associated with her. Rick Holloway still has a problem with Sue’s deafness and he made that clear when she told him she worked for the FBI. He couldn’t believe that the FBI would employ someone like Sue and we just wanted to prove to him that she is just as normal as you and I. That she was capable of living her own life, of having a boyfriend and working. I know it probably wasn’t the best way to go about it but it felt right at the time. We didn’t do it to humiliate you, if fact, you and Paul never entered our heads at the time. I am sorry if you have been upset by all of this but that wasn’t our intention.”
Sue looked at Jack as he spoke and couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. Pulling her hand from his, she moved to his side and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her side. His arm went round her shoulder as they waited for a response from Carla, instead, it was Paul who spoke first.
“Jack is right dear. You know as well as I do what Suzie had to put up with at school. They are both adults and I am sure no harm was intended, especially to you.”
Sue smiled at her dad and then turned her attention back to her mother. By the look on her face she could see that she was still deciding how to respond to Jack’s words. It was a few more moments before Carla sighed and unfolded her arms.
“Apology accepted. But I still think that that kind of intimacy should be kept behind closed doors.”
With those final words, Carla walked out of the living room and went upstairs. It wasn’t until they heard the bedroom door close that the three remaining adults released the laughter they had been holding inside.
Hear No Evil - Chapter 37
The next morning, Sue and Jack were up before the Thomas’. They had grabbed a quick breakfast and were now on their way to meet Sue’s former speech teacher, Barbara Casey.
Sue couldn’t deny that she was apprehensive about seeing the woman that she had dubbed the “iron witch” when she was a girl. She had attended lessons four times a week after school and for a couple of hours on a Saturday. She’d hated her mother for making her go. At that age, she didn’t understand why she was being made to do something that she didn’t want to do. All she wanted to do was play with her brothers. Looking back, she now understood that she probably wouldn’t be where she was now if her mother hadn’t pushed her when she was younger.
She came back to reality when the car slowed and she looked up at the building that she had visited so regularly as a child. It hadn’t changed and still looked as dark and foreboding as she remembered. She took a deep breath and stepped out the car, waiting for Jack on the sidewalk. She watched him grab a file off the back seat, knowing that it contained the files on the four missing women.
When he joined her on the sidewalk and they walked up to the building. She smiled when she felt Jack’s hand move to the small of her back. It was a simple touch that he had done so many times, but now had so many other meanings.
As they entered, Sue immediately headed for the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. Memories of the times she had been there flooded back and she began to feel like that little girl again. She felt Jack take her hand and squeeze it gently, letting her know that he was there and she wasn’t alone.
After a few seconds, the elevator stopped and they stepped out. Sue led Jack the short distance to Barbara Casey’s office and they knocked and waited. She saw Jack nod and he took the door handle and pushed the door open. She walked into the office closely followed by Jack.
As they walked in, Sue saw Ms Casey sat at her desk. Her reading glasses perched on the end of her nose as she flipped through some paperwork. Apart from a few more wrinkles and greying hair, the older woman hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen her. Hearing them come in, she stood and smiled at the both.
“You must be agents Hudson and Thomas. I’m Barbara Casey. What can I do for you?”
Sue and Jack sat in the two chairs that Ms Casey indicated. Looking across at Jack, she saw him nod, indicating for her to take the lead. Sue took a deep breath and spoke.
“Ms Casey, you probably don’t remember me but……”
“Of course I remember you dear, you are Carla and Paul’s little girl. Not so little now I see and working for the FBI. I always thought that out of all my students, you would be the one to make something of your life. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t wrong.”
Sue smiled up and her former teacher and instantly relaxed. She wasn’t as nasty as she remembered. Then again, she was only an eight year old girl back then and anyone who made her do something she didn’t like was nasty.
“What was it you wanted to see me about?” She asked.
“It’s about another of your students, Rosemary Prince. Do you remember her?” Jack said.
“Rosemary? I haven’t heard from her in over a year. She was my student at around the same time as Sue here. We kept in regular contact, used to talk several times a week and then the contact just stopped. Never knew why. I figured she had moved and lost my contact details. When I tried to ring her, the number had been disconnected. Is everything okay with her?” She asked and Jack sensed that her concern for her former student was genuine.
“Actually Ms Casey, she has gone missing. She is the fourth woman to go missing in the last few weeks. All of the women are from Ohio and all of them are oral deaf.” Sue explained.
“Oh my word. Do you have any leads?” She asked them.
“We have nothing at the moment, other than the connections between the women. We need you to look at the files of the other women, see if you knew them, maybe taught them when they were younger.”
“Of course, anything I can do to help.”
Jack smiled at her and handed her the files on the other women. Ms Casey sat back at her desk and opened the file, pushing her glasses further onto her nose. Sue watched as she flicked through the information and then took her glasses off and placed them on the desk, lowering her head into her hands.
“Ms Casey? Is everything okay?” Sue asked her.
“I’m not sure Sue. I knew all of these women. I taught all of them. What’s even stranger is that I taught them all at the same time as Rosemary and you.”
Both Jack and Sue watched as she walked over to her filing cabinet and pulled out five files and handed them to Jack. He read the names out loud.
“Claire Williams, Sophie Morgan, Maria Lopez, Rosemary Prince and Susan Thomas.”
“I taught all five girls at the same time on different days and at different times. I don’t know if any of them actually knew each other.”
Ms Casey looked at Sue who shook her head and turned to Jack.
“I didn’t know the first three girls. I only knew Rosemary from deaf club, not when I was a girl. In all the time I knew her, I never knew she attended the same teacher as I did.” Sue said, still surprised by Ms Casey’s revelation.
“Ms Casey, are there any other students that you taught at the same time as these five women?” Jack asked.
“Agent Hudson, teaching was my only means of income back then. I had many students and most of them were during the two years that I taught Sue and Rosemary. The other three only came to me for a few weeks. For some reason, they stopped coming and their parents found a new teacher. They never did explain why.”
“Okay, thank you for your time Ms Casey. If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
He placed the five files back on her desk and handed her his business card. Ms Casey smiled at him and then turned to Sue as she stood.
“Sue, I am so pleased to see that all those hours you spent with me were worthwhile. Your parents must be so proud of you. I know I am.”
“Thank you Ms Casey.”
With those words, Jack and Sue said their goodbyes and left Mrs Casey’s office. As the waited for the elevator, Jack looked at Sue. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking and was wondering how she felt after the meeting with the woman she hadn’t seen in almost 14 years, especially seeing as she appeared to be a link between all four of the missing woman.
They were back in the car less than five minutes later and Jack had to bite his tongue to stop himself asking her if she was okay for what must have been the hundredth time since they had been given the case. Instead, he just reached across and took her hand. When she looked at him, he smiled and squeezed her hand, accepting the smile she gave him in response as he pulled off into traffic.
Sue couldn’t deny that she was apprehensive about seeing the woman that she had dubbed the “iron witch” when she was a girl. She had attended lessons four times a week after school and for a couple of hours on a Saturday. She’d hated her mother for making her go. At that age, she didn’t understand why she was being made to do something that she didn’t want to do. All she wanted to do was play with her brothers. Looking back, she now understood that she probably wouldn’t be where she was now if her mother hadn’t pushed her when she was younger.
She came back to reality when the car slowed and she looked up at the building that she had visited so regularly as a child. It hadn’t changed and still looked as dark and foreboding as she remembered. She took a deep breath and stepped out the car, waiting for Jack on the sidewalk. She watched him grab a file off the back seat, knowing that it contained the files on the four missing women.
When he joined her on the sidewalk and they walked up to the building. She smiled when she felt Jack’s hand move to the small of her back. It was a simple touch that he had done so many times, but now had so many other meanings.
As they entered, Sue immediately headed for the elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. Memories of the times she had been there flooded back and she began to feel like that little girl again. She felt Jack take her hand and squeeze it gently, letting her know that he was there and she wasn’t alone.
After a few seconds, the elevator stopped and they stepped out. Sue led Jack the short distance to Barbara Casey’s office and they knocked and waited. She saw Jack nod and he took the door handle and pushed the door open. She walked into the office closely followed by Jack.
As they walked in, Sue saw Ms Casey sat at her desk. Her reading glasses perched on the end of her nose as she flipped through some paperwork. Apart from a few more wrinkles and greying hair, the older woman hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen her. Hearing them come in, she stood and smiled at the both.
“You must be agents Hudson and Thomas. I’m Barbara Casey. What can I do for you?”
Sue and Jack sat in the two chairs that Ms Casey indicated. Looking across at Jack, she saw him nod, indicating for her to take the lead. Sue took a deep breath and spoke.
“Ms Casey, you probably don’t remember me but……”
“Of course I remember you dear, you are Carla and Paul’s little girl. Not so little now I see and working for the FBI. I always thought that out of all my students, you would be the one to make something of your life. I’m glad to see that I wasn’t wrong.”
Sue smiled up and her former teacher and instantly relaxed. She wasn’t as nasty as she remembered. Then again, she was only an eight year old girl back then and anyone who made her do something she didn’t like was nasty.
“What was it you wanted to see me about?” She asked.
“It’s about another of your students, Rosemary Prince. Do you remember her?” Jack said.
“Rosemary? I haven’t heard from her in over a year. She was my student at around the same time as Sue here. We kept in regular contact, used to talk several times a week and then the contact just stopped. Never knew why. I figured she had moved and lost my contact details. When I tried to ring her, the number had been disconnected. Is everything okay with her?” She asked and Jack sensed that her concern for her former student was genuine.
“Actually Ms Casey, she has gone missing. She is the fourth woman to go missing in the last few weeks. All of the women are from Ohio and all of them are oral deaf.” Sue explained.
“Oh my word. Do you have any leads?” She asked them.
“We have nothing at the moment, other than the connections between the women. We need you to look at the files of the other women, see if you knew them, maybe taught them when they were younger.”
“Of course, anything I can do to help.”
Jack smiled at her and handed her the files on the other women. Ms Casey sat back at her desk and opened the file, pushing her glasses further onto her nose. Sue watched as she flicked through the information and then took her glasses off and placed them on the desk, lowering her head into her hands.
“Ms Casey? Is everything okay?” Sue asked her.
“I’m not sure Sue. I knew all of these women. I taught all of them. What’s even stranger is that I taught them all at the same time as Rosemary and you.”
Both Jack and Sue watched as she walked over to her filing cabinet and pulled out five files and handed them to Jack. He read the names out loud.
“Claire Williams, Sophie Morgan, Maria Lopez, Rosemary Prince and Susan Thomas.”
“I taught all five girls at the same time on different days and at different times. I don’t know if any of them actually knew each other.”
Ms Casey looked at Sue who shook her head and turned to Jack.
“I didn’t know the first three girls. I only knew Rosemary from deaf club, not when I was a girl. In all the time I knew her, I never knew she attended the same teacher as I did.” Sue said, still surprised by Ms Casey’s revelation.
“Ms Casey, are there any other students that you taught at the same time as these five women?” Jack asked.
“Agent Hudson, teaching was my only means of income back then. I had many students and most of them were during the two years that I taught Sue and Rosemary. The other three only came to me for a few weeks. For some reason, they stopped coming and their parents found a new teacher. They never did explain why.”
“Okay, thank you for your time Ms Casey. If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
He placed the five files back on her desk and handed her his business card. Ms Casey smiled at him and then turned to Sue as she stood.
“Sue, I am so pleased to see that all those hours you spent with me were worthwhile. Your parents must be so proud of you. I know I am.”
“Thank you Ms Casey.”
With those words, Jack and Sue said their goodbyes and left Mrs Casey’s office. As the waited for the elevator, Jack looked at Sue. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking and was wondering how she felt after the meeting with the woman she hadn’t seen in almost 14 years, especially seeing as she appeared to be a link between all four of the missing woman.
They were back in the car less than five minutes later and Jack had to bite his tongue to stop himself asking her if she was okay for what must have been the hundredth time since they had been given the case. Instead, he just reached across and took her hand. When she looked at him, he smiled and squeezed her hand, accepting the smile she gave him in response as he pulled off into traffic.
Hear No Evil - Chapter 36
Upstairs, Jack watched as Mr Thomas led him to one of the bedrooms that he knew had previously been occupied by one of her brothers before they moved out. When they were inside, the older man closed the door and turned to him.
“Jack, every father wants his little girl to meet the proverbial white knight and live happily ever after. When I look and you and Sue, I honestly think that you two can have that. I raised my daughter to know when a man’s intentions were honourable and she obviously listened to what I told her. If this relationship goes where I think it will, you have my blessing Jack.”
“Thank you Paul, that means a lot.”
“I had one with your dad too. He gave us his blessing.”
“So did mom.”
“I guess you weren’t joking when you said she took a shine to me.”
“It is. I just want to feel close to you tonight.”
“Jack, you love my daughter don’t you?” Paul asked.
“Yes sir.”Jack surprised himself by how quickly he had answered that question. He knew that he loved her but he hadn’t admitted it to anyone. Not even Sue. And now here he was telling her father how he felt. He saw Paul smile at him.
“Right answer son.” Paul said as he took a step closer.
“Paul, I have never felt about anyone they way that I feel about Sue. From the first day I met her she intrigued me. I had to know more about her. As time went on, she became my best friend. I knew that I could tell her anything and she wouldn’t judge me. I realised that I loved your daughter several months ago when I had to go into hospital after a heart scare. The thought of not having her in my life scared me more than anything. I just feel so honoured that she chose to be with me.” Jack explained, taking a deep breath when he’d finished speaking.“Jack, every father wants his little girl to meet the proverbial white knight and live happily ever after. When I look and you and Sue, I honestly think that you two can have that. I raised my daughter to know when a man’s intentions were honourable and she obviously listened to what I told her. If this relationship goes where I think it will, you have my blessing Jack.”
“Thank you Paul, that means a lot.”
Jack reached out and shook the hand of the older man, pleased that he’d been accepted into the Thomas family. As he looked at the older man, he spotted Sue climbing the stairs and couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on his lips. He saw Paul turn and see his daughter.
“I’ll let you two talk.” Paul said as he walked out onto the landing, kissing his daughter on the cheek before going down the stairs to his wife. Jack watched her as she walked towards him, a look on her face that he couldn’t decipher.
“Hey, you okay?”Jack watched her as she walked up to him and put her arms around his neck and held him close. He was a little surprised but wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. He felt her whole body relax against him and he heard a deep sigh. After several minutes, she pulled away and Jack closed the bedroom door.
“Not that I am complaining, but what was that for?” Jack said as he smiled.
“Nothing, I just wanted you to hold me. I had a rather enlightening conversation with my mother whilst you were up here.”“I had one with your dad too. He gave us his blessing.”
“So did mom.”
“I guess you weren’t joking when you said she took a shine to me.”
Jack winced as Sue playfully slapped him on his arm and smiled the smile that he had come to love so much. He took a step closer to her and pulled her into another hug, one that neither of them wanted to end. He could tell by the way she held him that she needed this. He breathed in her scent as they just held each other. It was the small that was uniquely her and a scent that Jack would always love and associate with her. He felt her grip on his loosen and he moved to look at her.
“Can I stay in here with you tonight Jack?” Sue asked, almost shyly.
“Of course you can, if that’s what you want?” Jack said“It is. I just want to feel close to you tonight.”
Jack nodded as he went into her room and grabbed her bag off her old bed. He noticed that the downstairs was in darkness so figured that her parents had retired for the night too. Returning to what would be his room while they were there, he saw her sitting on the bed.
“I shall leave this here for you to change. I shall change in the bathroom.”
Picking up his bag, he closed the door and went into the bathroom. Deciding that his usual night attire of boxer shorts would not be appropriate, he pulled out a t-shirt and jogging bottoms. He looked at himself in the mirror as he carried out his night time routine and sighed. He knew that this was going to be a test of his willpower. Just holding her was almost too much to bear, but sharing a bed with her was completely different. He knew that it had taken a lot for Sue to ask him if she could stay. He also knew that she was showing how just how much she trusted him.
Returning to the bedroom after several minutes, he found her changed and already in bed, the covers up to her waist. He smiled as he saw she was wearing the hockey jersey he’d bought her and his briefly closed his eyes to try and rid his mind of the images it was conjuring up. Opening them, he walked over to her to the bed and pulled the covers to one side, slipping in besides her. Holding out his arm to her, she moved straight over to him and snuggled into his chest, her one arm resting across his stomach, the other resting lightly on his thigh. Placing a soft kiss in her hair, he felt her smile against his chest.
“Goodnight Jack.”
“Goodnight Sue. Sweet dreams.”
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