Boston Blues - BLACKBIRD book 2

4. closer than you think

Brock wasn't exactly pleased when he found out Andrea was at Gillian's place. But he cooled down when he knew his baby girl wasn't all alone with that dangerous Connor perv, because Tanya and Kurt were there too, and Brandon Philips joined them soon after.

In what Kurt had mockingly called "operation Cinderella's Midnight", all of them made an incursion to Connor's and Gillian's closets. Only ten minutes later they were out of their tuxedos and fancy dresses, sitting down in the family room to work.

Andrea felt very cozy in Gillian's leggings and sweater, with these young funny people, so different from the few FBI agents she'd ever met. She left them to their computers, determined to make herself of some use. When she came back from the kitchen with hot chocolate and hotcakes for everybody, she was declared their official lifesaver and got clearance to ask whatever she wanted to know. A chance Andrea wasn't about to miss, thrilled at this unique opportunity of seeing them and her dad working a real case in real time.

Brock didn't know that last bit, or he wouldn't be so calm calling Cooper. He could understand Cooper's repeated requests for updates: she was holding back a CARD team and a couple of BAU profilers, all of them go-bag in hand and ready to jump on a plane for Boston. But she was determined to turn this case into a clear statement of how she wanted her field office to work: now that I'm here, this office will handle its own cases, so thank you very much, DC folks, and hold your horses; we'll call you if we ever need you.

Cooper wasn't about to tell Brock about it, but she wished she could shake her husband and Burton off her back just as easily. She knew better than sending them home. Because it wasn't that bad, having them there to see how quickly Coleman, Brockner and the SCU had figured it out and were already on the move. If only she could gag them.

Brock disconnected and joined Gillian before the board. She moved her bright blue eyes all over the map, as if trying to force an answer out of the paper.

"If they still have Jimmy, they're gonna stay low until things cool down a bit," she muttered. "Four or six hours, till the initial frenzy declines in the morning. But where the hell are they hiding?"

Brock studied the map for a moment. He knew there was a logical process working inside of him, but after so many years on the job, it didn't need to be conscious anymore. For him, it was the feeling of looking at the right pieces of the puzzle, and Gillian's words had just suggested a possible shape. Like a gentle poke in his shoulder, a tingling in his fingertips.

"With the Amber Alert in effect, they know the roads are being watched," he said. "And a populated area is a good place to hide."

She looked up at him, eyes widening with that spark of realization he was already getting to know. "They're still in Boston!" she breathed.

A heartbeat later, she was leaning over her computer to browse a map of the city as she called Tanya. She zoomed in the East Boston area. He could tell she was like the taut string of a bow, shivering to release the arrow. It was the stress of the case, but it was also the thrill of the chase.

"I need you lads to go back to the feeds of the car crossing the bridge, and follow it from there."

"We've already tried, Reg, but we lost it at Bennington. It doesn't show up on the feeds from Bennington or Boardman, and they didn't make it to the highway either."

"And what about the Heights?"

"Crap! You're right! How could I...!"

"And that's why she's the boss, T," teased Kurt.

"I'm on it!"

Kurt went on. "By the way, Reg, I've been taking a look at Nelson's accounts. He withdrew thirty grand four days ago."

Brock nodded. "Makes sense. He wouldn't pay it all beforehand. No second withdrawal?"

"No, sir."

"Check out Katy's accounts, Kurt," said Gillian.

"Got it."

"And her father's," said Brock.

"Yessir."

"Where are we with the face, Connor?"

"Brandon's already running what little I got. No matches so far."

Brock's phone buzzed and he showed her it was Russell.

"Keep me up," she said, disconnecting.

Russell, Aldana, Hank and Fred had just met outside the motel, where their tails had led them. They'd taken a good look around the place and they were pretty sure there were no signs of the kidnappers or the boy.

"Nelson paid for the night, though," said Aldana.

"So he means to wait there for the call," said Gillian, looking up at Brock to check that he agreed with her. When he nodded, she asked, "Russ, can you and Al handle them?"

"What're you up to, Reg?"

"Maybe canvass the Heights."

Fred smiled. "Wicked. We're on our way."

"And I'm sending T the plates of the few cars at the motel," said Hank.

"Well done, Doctor. Now give the lovebirds some privacy and come back."