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.

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.

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.

Hear No Evil - Chapter 33

Four hours later, Jack and Sue were on their way to Ohio. Tara had called less than five minutes after they’d left the bullpen telling them that she had them booked on a flight leaving Dulles in ninety minutes time. They’d only had time to gather a couple of changes of clothes and the essentials before they’d left for the airport.   

Sue had spoken with her mother who had told her that as far as she knew Ms Casey still worked out of the same offices and she had all those years ago. Jack had booked them into a hotel a short walk from the office building but Mrs Thomas had insisted that they stay with them for the two nights that they would be there. Sue would be having her old room and Jack would have one of her brothers. They hadn’t even tried to argue with her. Sue had learnt long ago that when he mother had her mind set on something, there was no point trying to change it.   

The flight to Ohio was relatively short and Jack was pleased that Sue seemed to have coped with the various changes in pressure. He knew that flying hurt her ears and his first suggestion had been to drive but she had insisted on flying, saying that they needed the save all the time they could before another woman was taken. She said that her instincts were telling her that Rosemary would not be the last woman to be taken. 

Their flight landed a little after 8pm. When they’d made their way through the airport, t hey had decided to go for something to eat at a little restaurant that Sue frequented all the time when she lived at home. Once they’d eaten they would then make the short drive to the Thomas residence.  Jack threw their overnight bags into the trunk of their rental car and Sue directed him to the restaurant.  

As they entered the restaurant, they were immediately shown to a table near the back.  Jack took in the surroundings as he sat down. It was quite a small place, but it seemed quite popular with only a handful of tables being empty. There was a wide choice of food on the menu and the staff seemed pleasant. It was the type of place that he could imagine Sue coming too quite often. As Sue sat opposite him, he reached across the table and took her hands in his, looking into her eyes. Despite the smile she gave him, her eyes told him that she was worried and he knew she was trying her best to put on a brave face. He wasn’t sure if it was the case that was concerning her or seeing her mother again.   

Sue had told him that being the only girl of four children, she had always been a daddy’s girl. He knew that she had a difficult relationship with her mother and Jack had seen that when her parents had come to stay last Christmas.  Sue had repeatedly told her mother not to get involved, that she and Lucy had everything under control for the party they had planned, but her mother had gone ahead and taken over. Jack knew that her mother meant well and so did Sue, but Mrs Thomas was having trouble letting go of her only daughter and in believing that she was an independent, capable woman.  Smiling as he squeezed her hands, he spoke.  

“It will be alright you know?”

 “You don’t know my mother like I do Jack. Oh, I have no doubt that she means well but she can be so infuriating at times I just want to stand up and shake her.” Sue said as she gave him a small smile.

“She only acts the way she does because she cares.” Jack told her.

“I know that Jack but I am 28, she needs to let go and let me live my own life. If it was up to her I would still be living at home and would probably die a lonely old woman. I would never have met the team, or you. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you.”

“But you did meet me Sue and I am not going anywhere. You are stuck with me.” Jack said as he ran his thumb across her knuckles.

“I can think of worse things to be stuck with.”  

Jack finally saw a smile that lit up her face and he felt his heart do a flip flop. This was the woman he had fallen in love with. It was the first genuine smile that he’d seen on her lips since they’d been handed this case.  

“I take it you haven’t told your parents about us yet?” Jack asked her.

“No I haven’t, although somehow I don’t think my mom will mind. She took quite a shine to you when she met you at Christmas. She gave me the third degree about you and everything.” She said.

“Oh really, and why haven’t you mentioned this before now may I ask?” Jack said as he raised his eyebrows.

“Because, Mr Hudson, I didn’t want to over inflate that male ego of yours.”

“Sue, you wound me.” Jack said as he winked.

Jack was about to continue their conversation when he saw a man approaching their table from the side. He saw Sue follow his line of vision and felt her hands grip his tighter. She knows this man. He squeezed her hands and smiled, letting her know he was there if she needed him.

“Sue? Sue Thomas? It’s me, Rick Holloway, we were in the same math class in twelfth grade.” 

Sue tried to hide the grimace that crossed her face as Rick stood in front of their table. She remembered who he was, there was no way she could forget. He was one of the gang of people who had made her years in high school a nightmare. Whilst he had not made fun of her himself, he was part of the same crowd and did nothing to stop the others, which, in her eyes, made him as bad as they were.

 “I remember. Hi Rick. How are you?”  Sue said as she plastered a smile on her face.

“I’m good. You look great. Are you still living around here? He asked her.

“No, actually I live in D.C now. I am out here on business and visiting my parents.” She informed him.

“What is it you do in D.C?”

“I work for the FBI.” She said proudly.

“FBI? You work for the FBI?” He said, unable to hide the disbelief from his expression. “I didn’t realise that they recruited people who were……well, who are……oh you know what I mean.” He said as he smiled awkwardly. 

Sue nodded at Rick and glanced across at Jack. She had felt that the grip he had on her hands had tightened even more and could see the tension in his usually soft jaw line. She knew that he probably wanted to flatten the guy but she was pleased that he was restraining himself.

“So, who is this? Your partner?” Rick asked as he turned to Jack. 

Sue was about to answer when Jack jumped into the conversation. He didn’t release her hands and she knew that the smile on his face was as false as they came.

“Actually, I am Sue’s boyfriend. Jack Hudson.”

“I see. Well it was nice to meet you and to see you again Sue. Hope you have a nice stay.” 

With those words Rick returned to the table he had come from and immediately began talking to his friends. She picked up the occasional word and knew that he was telling them all about her. Turning to Jack, she felt him loosen his grip on her hands but the look his was giving the other man was one of pure contempt and he wasn’t trying to hide it.  

“Jack, you can relax now. If you don’t that vein in your temple is going to burst at any minute.” Sue said, trying to lighten the mood.

“I’m sorry Sue, but the way that guy spoke to you.”

“It’s okay Jack. I learnt long ago that they say what they say because they don’t understand. It doesn’t bother me anymore.” She said, hoping he believed her.

“It bothers me though. I don’t like to hear people say anything bad about you. Especially someone who doesn’t know what a kind, caring, beautiful woman you have grown into.”

Jack smiled at the blush that crept to her cheeks as she glanced at her former classmate.

“He is still watching us Jack. You just know that me being here is going to be all around town by morning.”

“Well let’s give them something to talk about shall we?”

Sue watched as Jack stood up from his seat and moved round to sit next to her. He took her hand in his and just looked at her. For a moment she started to get lost in those brown eyes.

“Jack, what are you...” She began but Jack’s finger to her lips stopped any further words. “Do you trust me?”

Sue nodded and within seconds Jack’s lips were pressed against hers. As always, they were soft and tender and applied just enough pressure to let he know exactly how he felt. She didn’t wait for him to ask and opened her mouth slightly, inviting him in. Her hands rested on his upper arms as she felt his at her waist, drawing small circles that she could feel through the material of her blouse.

She was unable to stop the small moan that left her lips when she felt Jack lightly suckle on her lower lip, his tongue soothed the area and he then did the same to her upper lip. His one hand left her waist and came up to cup her cheek before he let it slide the length of her body to rest on her thigh.

She knew that they were sitting in a public restaurant but at that moment in time, that was the farthest thing from her mind. She was too wrapped up in the kiss she was sharing with the man she loved. The kiss was over all too soon and Sue tried to maintain her composure, even though she found that increasingly difficult when Jack looked at her the way he was looking at her now.

“I think that should give old Ricky boy something to talk about.” Jack said as he brushed a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear, letting his knuckles brush across her cheek as he did so.

“I think you’re right.” Sue said when she had evened out her breathing. “Come on, let’s go. I’m not that hungry anymore, at least not for food anyway.”

She threw him a cheeky smile as he almost choked at her comment. She moved across, forcing Jack to move so that she could stand. Placing another quick kiss to his lips, she took his hand and led him from the restaurant. When they were outside, she glanced back and saw Rick watching them, open mouthed, still in shock at what he had seen.

Hear No Evil - Chapter 32

Sue smiled at Jack as he squeezed her hand and released it, letting her return to her desk. She kept her eyes on him as he approached Tara.

“Hey Tara. Anything on that list of friends yet?”

“Everyone is clean at the moment Jack. The first two, Simon Davies and Greg Chambers still live in Ohio and are married with kids, they both said that they haven’t heard anything from Rosemary in almost three months. Background checks came back clean. I haven’t been able to reach the next two on the list but their preliminary checks are clean too, their names are Sharon Michaels and Barbara Casey."

When Sue read Tara saying the last name, she fell down onto her seat. Jack spotted it almost immediately and he rushed to her side, kneeling in front of her.

“What is it Sue?” He asked her.

“Did you just say Barbara Casey?” Sue asked Tara as she nodded. “Jack, Barbara Casey was my speech teacher. If Rosemary went to see Ms Casey and the others were from Ohio, it’s possible they went to see her too. She was only one of two speech teachers in the immediate area.  She could be the link between all of the women Jack.  We need to speak with her.” Sue explained.

“I agree. I shall have a word with Garrett, see if will give us the go ahead to go out there. Somehow I don’t think a phone call will cut it, we need to see her and her reaction to our questions. I shall come out with you. If you know her, it will probably be best if you speak with her. I shall be there by your side if you need anything. We could even pay your parents a visit while we are out there.”

Sue managed a weak smile and Jack gently squeezed her hand before leaving the bullpen to speak with Garrett. Sue turned in her chair and stared into space. Whilst she would never admit this to anyone, especially Jack, she was beginning to get nervous. There were just too many coincidences connecting her to the missing women. If she was right and they had all attended the same speech teacher, she knew that Jack would insist she moved to a safe house until the person was caught.

Whilst his protective streak did annoy her at times, she knew that he was only looking out for her. She told herself that Jack would so the same thing if it was any of the team and she was probably right, but she knew that with her it went deeper than that. With her it was personal.  She knew Jack wouldn’t let anything happen to her, even if it meant him staying with her 24/7, gun in hand to fend of anyone who tried to hurt her. She was broken out of her thoughts when Jack returned and came straight to her desk.

“Garrett approved it.” He said as he nodded. “Tara, I need to you get us on the next available flight out to Ohio. We need to get going right now so can call me when you’ve got the flight details.”

Sue watched as Tara nodded and began working on the flights and Jack picked up her jacket and clipped on Levi’s leash. Grabbing her purse, Sue stood and left the bullpen with Jack.