A familiar figure caught Sue's eye as she entered the FBI building. She recognized the woman as a fellow trainee from Quantico. The woman looked unusually harried thought Sue. It gave her a very uneasy feeling. When she got up to the office she asked Lucy about this mysterious woman. All Lucy said was that the woman had been popping up more and more these days, and she didnt know anything else. Sue was puzzled.

Tara came in with a box of donuts. "Get them while you can." She said setting them on the desk. Everyone scrambled over to get the 'cream filled' one. Well, everyone but Sue. She was still trying to figure out who this mysterious woman was. Sue was knocked out of her thought by a shout. "Give me that cream filled donut, you traitor!" Lucy yelled teasingly to Jack as she accidentally shoved Sue out of her way. Collecting her thoughts Sue was about to walk over to her desk but was stopped by Dimitrius.

Her co-worker gently put his hand on her shoulder to ensure he had her attention. Sue looked up into his concerned eyes.

"Sue" Dimitrius began, "There's a woman outside the office asking for you. She says she was in training with you in Quantico. Says her name is Sally and she said it's urgent.

Puzzled, Sue approached the door to see what the waiting woman wanted.

When Sue was a few feet away from Sally, the woman quickly handed Sue a stack of files. Sue looked down at them and then taking them asked what they were. Sally gave a rather hard look and said, "Levi is not the only FBI employee who can smell a rat! I love my country, but I just can't deal with this anymore." Then she turned and hurried away.

"Wait!" Sue cried, but Sally just moved faster and disappeared around the corner.

Stunned, Sue looked at the files that had been shoved into her arms. They were labeled "United States Air Force-CONFIDENTIAL"

Sue opened the first file and was shocked to see a police mug shot of a familiar face.

Sue couldn't believe that in the file she was holding there was a mug shot ofTroy. "Levi", she said,"we have to find out what's going on".

Sue ran up to the office with Levi, & got to her desk. She looked down at the files then she looked up & saw Lucy coming closer to her & signing something in ASL. Lucy was at her desk now & said....

"Didn't you get my sign Sue? I signed that 'Jack is waiting for you'?"

Sue absent-mindedly nodded at Lucy's comment and murmured, "I've gotta get Jack's help on this one."

Lucy shot Sue a quizzical look as her roomate walked over to the door and took off to find her boss.

"Jack?" Sue called after one of the FBI's finest.

Jack turned, a charming smile spreading acrossed his face when he saw Sue. He stopped and began walking toward Sue. "Yes?"

Sue shoved the file with Troy's picture toward Jack. "Do you know anything about this?"

Jack took the folder marked USA Air Force Confidential. As he perused it's contents he mumbled, "Why Troy?" Jack noticed that Troy was mentioned in connection to a world famous information broker Herman Pankow. Jack shook his head, "From Vince to Herman. How did Troy get messed up in this?"

Jack sighed, looked up at Sue and said, "I hear Troy is working part time at the National Institute on Deafness. Why don't you head down there and see what Troy knows about Herman Pankow and what information that traitor is looking to sell."

Sue went to the door, but Jack called after her & said,
"Bobby came in here just a couple minutes ago and was looking for you"

"Ok, thanks Jack" Sue smiled & left. Sue went out to the hall partly looking for Bobby & partly hoping she could just go to find Troy. She turned around (still walking) to make sure Levi was with her, when she bumped into Bobby.

"Oh, I'm sorry Bobby, Jack said you were looking for me." Sue said. "Yes, I had a quick question."

Bobby began, wondering if there was some type of romance going on with Sue & Jack. "I heard you're going to see Troy and ask him some questions. Just wanted to know if ya wanted some backup?"

"Oh, sure, that'd be nice." Sue said trying to hurry the conversation so she could get out of there.

"We could ride together..." Bobby said.

"Oh no that's ok...Levi doesn't like strange cars. Meet me at Charlies garage."

 "Why?"

"Charlie said he had wanted to give me something."

"Alright." Bobby said, taking what he could get to be around Sue.

Bobby pulled into the parking lot, following Sue from Charlie's garage all the way to the NIoD. Troy would not be expecting them and Bobby wanted to make sure Sue was protected.

Who knew why this Sally lady gave Sue the files? All Bobby knew was that Sue was a trust-worthy soul and many found solace in her company.

"I think he works in that office." Sue said, bringing Bobby back to the task at hand. They walked in the building and soon Sue was confronting Troy, wildly signing and asking him what in the world was going on.

Troy sat there, mouth agape. He had been so
deceived by Herman Pankow. The man had used Troy to traffic classified information to local 'art dealers' which then sold them to the highest bidder, namely the enemy.

All Herman had told Troy was that they were simple pencil sketches he was submitting for display. Troy had no idea they were really drawings of the Air Force's next best weapon.....

Bobby sat there not knowing what in the world they were signing about. "Whoa, Sue, take a break and let my in on what's happening." Before Sue could say anything, Bobby's phone rang. It was Tara.

"Bobby? It's Tara" Tara said in between mouthfuls of turkey shaped gummi-bears. "Is Sue there with you? I've got some bad new..."

Bobby halted Tara's ramble with a "What?!"

"Well, that Sally lady....she was found in her car and, well, she's...she's ....dead. turns out she was Herman Pankow's daughter! Jack wants you to come back and ....bring Troy."

Bobby got off the phone with Tara and told Sue what Tara had said (Even though she had been speaking in her 'candy-language'.) Sue signed it to Troy and they all left.

Myles smugly leaned back in his chair as he gruffly asked Troy, 'What do you know about Sally Pankow? You say you were an innocent pawn but do you know who may have wanted her dead?"

Sue glared at Myles, wishing he'd speak a bit slower so she could translate in ASL to Troy. Jack looked up from his desk and quipped, "What's your hurry Myles?" He knew Myles was just talking fast to give Sue a hard time.

Then Jack concentrated on Sue's facial expressions and hand movements. He was beginning to see how they went together in ASL. He would really like to learn this fascinating language! Maybe he could ask Sue to teach him just one sign a day . . .. And of course, then he'd need to spend time with "someone" to practice . . .! What a plan!

He pulled his mind back to the present dilemma. Could Pankow have had his own daughter killed, or did some member of his organization act on his own? Maybe this tragedy would provide a break in the case. The thought of spending time with Sue intrigued him greatly.

Myles repeated what he had said, slower, this time, only because Jack and Bobby stared at him, just daring him to do that again.

"Ask Troy what he knows about Sally Pankow." Troy signed to Sue that he had heard the name before, but never seen the person that the name belonged to. Sue told everyone, "He's never seen her before, but heard the name." "All right then, why is he connected to Herman Pankow?" Sue asked Troy. He signed back that all he knew about Herman Pankow was that he told him what to draw. That was it. He had no idea that it connected to terrorists.

*Herman Pankow's apartment*

"Boss, where do you want me to put the papers?" "Just throw them away. Now that Sally's out of the picture, we won't be needing them anymore." "Well, if ya don't mind, I'm goin' home. When do I get the money?" *The guy throws away the papers in the trash can* "Actually...I do mind" *Herman sneaks up behind the guy quickly injects poison into him.* "Everything's almost finished Polly." *He said talking to his pet bird* "Squawk!"

*Back at the office*

"Jack, take Sue and go through Sally's house." Myles said. "And take Bobby in case you need back up." "Check" Bobby said grabbing his coat and heading out the door. Jack and Sue followed. As Sue was walking out the door Troy tapped her on the shoulder. He signed: 'Be careful. Okay?' 'I will' she signed back. She had really gotten attached to Troy. They shared a special bond.

At Sally's apartment....

Jack and Sue rummaged through Sally's musty apartment while Bobby stood guard. They found absolutely nothing but kept looking anyway for some kind of clue.

Meanwhile, Troy was making his way back to his part time job and hopped on the Metro to get there. After he arrived at his destination, he exited the turnstile to spill out on to the street when a firm hand gripped his shoulder and the nose of a gun was shoved in his back.

It didn't take long for Troy to figure out this must be one of Herman Pankow's minions. Now he had to figure out how he would regain his freedom.

The man who pulled a gun on Troy was disguised by a hat sitting low on his head, the brim casting dark shadows over his face, making it impossible for Troy to figure out if he knew him or not.
The stranger knew sign language though, because he signed to his prisoner to get into the silver Corvette parked across the street.
Thinking to himself how to get out of this mess, Troy noted for a kidnapper, he sure had an excellent taste in cars.
Before he could do any more thinking, darkness closed in on him and it was lights out....

Back at Sally's apartment Sue started checking in Sally's bathroom.

She didn't see anything really, just a few things out of place. The hair dryer, things like that, so obviously she had used them this morning.

As she was about to turn around and leave the bathroom, something on the floor caught her eye. It was a diamond earring. She didn't see a match for the earring. "Hum that's strange..." She slipped it into her pocket as she was walked back to the living room to show Jack and Bobby.

When she got there she saw Jack and Bobby unconscious on the floor. A strong hand covered her mouth. She struggled to get away but it was no use. The man was too strong. "You're comin' with me little girl." The man said as another man came in and helped the man take Sue out side. "Leave the other two, we only need the girl." One said to the other. Sue was afraid. She didn't know what was going to happen next.

Herman Pankow stared at the two 'guests' before him. He leaned back and smiled wickedly from his high-back winged leather chair.

Sue and Troy sat before him, hands tied to their respective chairs and mouths gagged.

Pankow didn't speak a word but signed to Troy and Sue "death". Then he hissed "Just like Sally" as his heartless followers grabbed Sue and Troy and dragged them off to a darkly tinted car.

Unbeknownst to Herman, Charlie, Sue's friend, happened to be driving by and noticed Sue. Charlie quickly swerved to avoid knocking down a pedestrian and hit his head on the windshield. "Man, what a head ache he mumbled when he came to, "Hope this doesn't lead to some kind of litigation."

Meanwhile, back at Sally's apartment....

Bobby rubbed the goose egg forming on the back of his head and slowly opened his eyes. He saw Jack with a real shiner still passed out on the floor. In pain, Bobby leaned over to shake Jack's shoulder.

When Jack roused, he looked at Bobby and asked, "Who are you? Where am I? Who am I?"

Stunned, Bobby replied, "You alright mate? This is no time for a joke.

Jack looked at him blankly. "I really dont know who you are. And why do you talk so funny?"

Bobby took him by the shoulders and shook him. "Jack it's me Bobby Manning...ya know your best friend?" He searched Jack's eyes for a moment and was frightened at the emptiness he read in them.

"Jack you remember mate, you work for the FBI, with Big D, Tara, me, Myles, Lucy.....Sue?"

Jack shook his hands off him. "Get off me man. I don't know who you are or what the heck you're talking about!"

Bobby stared at him for a moment and then said, "Well then stranger we've got to get you to the hospital. I think that knock on the head shook something loose. Let's just hope it's temporary amnesia"

As Bobby stood up painfully, his wallet dropped out of his pocket and a picture of Sue fell out. Jack picked it up. "She's pretty....she your girlfriend?" he asked.

"She works with us mate," Bobby said. "Sue. You remember, don'tcha? Sue! She's deaf, 'member? You found her, mate. She used to work in fingerprinting. Remember?"

Jack put the picture down, a funny look on his face. "Sue..." He mumbled.

"Yeah, sue," Bobby encouraged him. "Sue...Sue! Where is Sue?" Jack stood up, looking around frantically. "Do you remember?" Bobby stood beside him, hands on Jack's shoulders.

"Yeah, uh...Pankov, um..."

"That's right, mate! Keep it comin'!"

"Sally, she uh...Troy. Sue went into the bathroom and...Sue! Where is Sue?!"

"Oh!" Bobby almost yelled. Then he said, "We gotta find Troy too Jack!" Bobby yelled as he rushed out the door, dragging Jack behind him.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Charlie sat in the emergency room with an ice pack on his head. A beligerent police officer was arguing with him. 'What do ya mean old man that ya saw some thugs take off with some deaf chick and her homey? D'ya think I care? Crazy old man! Ya prob'ly got oldtimers and were hallucinatin'. Some guy took off with her in a limo, yeah right!"

Charlie tried and tried but he just couldn't get the man in blue to understand. Charlie knew they weren't all that way--this guy must have had a bad day!

In exasperation, Charlie finally called Lucy and Sue's apartment and left a message for Lucy to call him back.

Sue and Troy sat in the back of the limo, their hands now tied together, while Pankow and the other men were up front.

Troy signed to Sue, 'Where are they taking us?' Sue looked out the window. It was getting dark but she could see that they were somewhere near the Potomac.

*Lucy and Sue's apartment.*

When Lucy got home it was alittle after 7:00 pm. There were a few messages on the machine. The last was Charlie: "Lucy, this is Charlie, I saw some guys kidnap Sue and Troy. This is urgent ! I'm at the General Hospital." Lucy grabbed her jacket and ran out the door.

 

Myles met Lucy in the lobby of General Hospital. Despite their recent breakup, Lucy was glad to see a familiar face. She had left a message for Jack and Bobby too, although they had supposedly been with Sue and Troy all day working on the Pankow case.

Myles escorted Lucy to Charlie's room where they gathered all the info they could.

"It's getting late!" Myles quipped, "We gotta get on this thing before it's too late!" He'd never admit it to anyone, but he looked to Sue like a sister.

Lucy almost stunned that Myles was the one hurrying to help Sue, "Alright, Alright I'm moving I'm moving" Lucy said as she started to leave "Myles, wasn't it you who was calling Sue a 'squirrel' just about a month ago?"

Myles looked down and replied "Yes, I guess that was me, why?"

"I'm just shocked that the person who called Sue a 'squirrel' is all of the sudden pushing me out of the hospital to find her," She answered, just then Lucy's phone rang.

"Ya?" she said when she answered "Hey, its Jack we are following Sue & Troy, it looks like they're ok. We are apparently following them to a warehouse. Do you know where Levi is? Sue will want to know where he is."
*if we even find her alive* Jack thought.

Bobby, apparently reading the expression on Jack's face, said, "Don't worry mate, we'll find Sue...."

They both sat there silently until Bobby said, "Jack I'm real worried about Sue. She's smart, but not strong enough to fight off Pankow. What if we lose the trail what if she doesn't make it?"

"Bobby, listen to me. We're gonna get Sue and Troy out of this." Just then, the limo made a few quick turns and Bobby and Jack lost them. Jack got out his cell phone and made a quick call telling everyone to check the area. He next called Lucy and Myles to ask them to put together some clues about Pankow.

*In the car with Lucy and Myles*

"Got it Jack." Lucy said as she shut the cell phone. "Jack and Bobby lost the limo. They want us to put everything we know about Pankow together and find out why he took Sue."

**Somewhere on the streets**

"It's about midnight and we haven't heard anything from anybody," Jack said.

~Jack's phone rings~

"I've got the girl and Troy," said the mysterious voice.

"Who is this?" asked Jack

"Meet me at the warehouse at 1:00 or the girl gets it"

~The line went dead~

Bobby asked, "Who was it?"

"I don't know, but whoever it was, they know Troy and if we don't get to the warehouse at 1:00, something might happen to Sue." replied Jack.

Jack took out his phone and called Myles and Lucy

"Hey, It's Lucy..."

 Jack quickly told Lucy to call for backup, including Tara and Demetrius. He didn't like the way things were going. First Sally, now possibly Sue and Troy.

Jack feared that Pankow would use Sue and Troy as pawns. Surely Herman wanted to get off scott-free and not go to Leavenworth for selling classified drawings of the newest U.S.anti-aircraft weapon to Hamas.

Jack put his hand on his gun and hoped he wouldn't have to use it.

Then Jack exclaimed to Bobby, "Pankow forgot about an agent before knocking us out and abducting Troy and Sue - Levi! Did you ever stop to think just what brought us back to consciousness?"

"You're on to something there," replied Bobby quickly, "When I looked up at the ceiling I couldn't see any sign of a leak that would have made my face so wet!"

"If we can find Levi, we'll know which part of the warehouse network to stake out."

Back at the hospital, Charlie thought of another clue. He remembered seeing a "Rinaldo's Fishing" truck following the limo that held Troy and his dear friend Sue prisoner. Charlie called Lucy's cell phone and tipped her off to that clue.

He hoped Jack and Bobby were able to save his friends. With a sigh Charlie lay back down on his pillow and began to pray. A sweet, deep peace began to flow over him. Somehow he just knew everything would be alright.

TO BE CONTINUED....