The Hunt

Seventeen

Georgetown was a mess when we  arrived.  Patrol cars were spread all along the place, along with TV channels and newspapers journalists. Some of the neighbors were in the street, still in shock with the unexpected murder. If Georgetown was something, it was a quiet and safe place, where that kind of things didn't happen. Murders and home invasions were reserved for ordinary people 

Vernon's body was still on the ground, covered by a white blanket. A puddle of blood had leaked from the now lifeless body, covering part of the road. Two officers martially greeted Chief Wilkins and he answered in a similar way. "Commissioner Dennis is in the house , Sir. ."

"Thanks Officers." Chief Wilkins walked right into the splendid house. Major Greenshaw was there along with some other people, probably other Congressmen and women. Vernon's widow was on a chair, and had a lost expression in her brown eyes.

"Detectives." Commissioner said when she saw us ."This case is beyond our competence now,  the FBI will take care of it now. They have agreed to collaborate with us in every possible lead they have , and will need our cooperation as well."

"We think it's connected to the other murders, Ma'am. Considering all we have found out so far, it's the most probable thing."

"I agree, but we seem to be stuck . And any help will do. And this case has turned now into a federal one. Two agents will fly from Langley and will be here this evening."

"With all due respect, we're not stuck Ma'am. We have a consistent clue with the name of this girl, Vicky. " I managed to hide my discomfort about working with the feds.

"The moment that girl is completely identified, I will concede you're not stuck. But this hasn't happened yet. You will collaborate with the FBI, and this is not a suggestion. It's an order." 

"Can't believe this." Mark said finally." We'd better find out who this Vicky girl is before the feds come."

"Someone I met at the Academy works for the feds now, hopefully it will be she the one to come." I sensed the buzzing of my cell phone."Sorry, I have to answer. It's from Jordan's school. " I explained Mark "Hello? Yeah, Ms Robbins. Oh my god, is he okay? Yeah, I will be there in ten. Thanks for calling, bye." I hung up the phone, feeling as if my legs refused to sustain me."It was Jordan's teacher, he had an accident while playing soccer and they took him to the hospital."

"Go, I will deal with the feds." Mark replied."Give me a call when you know how Jordan is."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to..."

"Go!" Mark insisted.

"I owe you one, Mark."

"Nonsense." He smiled. "C'mon, hurry up."

I drove to Howard Hospital mentally preparing myself for the worse. Jordan's teacher hadn't told me what kind of accident he'd had, and my mind was making all kind of theories, each one worse than the previous one. I saw Jack's car in the parking lot and somehow I felt relaxed. Whatever news we were given, it would be better having him by my side.

"Hey," he smiled as I walked into the waiting room."Thought you were busy, there was no need for you to come."

I gave him a quick kiss in his lips "Ae you joking? How on earth would I stay?"

"Because it was nothing, just a small sprain in his wrist. He was doing a summersault in phys ed and fell bad. "

"Did you see him?"

"Yeah, the doc wanted to check there was nothing broken, he will do an XRay just in case."

"Thank God, I was so scared. You know, sometimes I think I'm neglecting him. Both of you, in fact." Jack tried to resp, but I needed to let my fears go."I spend too much time at work and too little with you, and...Fuck, when I was driving here I couldn't help feeling guilty. "

"But guilty for what, Dana? For doing well your job? For being a good mother? Jordan is proud of you and so am I, you already know that."

"But maybe he would want me to be around more often that now, sometimes I feel like I'm missing his childhood. He'll go soon to high school and."

"And then to College, right. And so what? Dana, I really don't get it. What's wrong with you women? I mean, you fight for getting a good job and then you feel guilty about it. Sorry if I'm a bit stupid but I just don't get it." Jack looked at me with the same expression that made me fall in love with him. I couldn't but laugh and hug him.

"What would I do without you, Jack? "

"Being bored all day. C'mon, don't think about this again okay? "He stretched his arm around my shoulders."You're a great detective, Dana, and you will catch this murderer so that Jordan and I can brag about it." Again, the buzzing of the phone interrupted us. "Answer it." Jack said.

I gave him a quick kiss before answering the call "Hello?"

"Hi Dana, this is Caroline McCormack, remember me? I work for the feds now, will be in D.C in a few hours. It will be great working with you again."