Bloodline (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Bloodline - Chapter Eleven

The chair in the director's office was comfortable, too comfortable, and Sue was tired, more like exhausted. Had she closed her eyes, she would have fallen asleep and missed Turner's revelation. One cat-and-mouse game was over, but another one was about to begin, and all she wanted was to crawl underneath the blankets and sleep.

When Jack told her he was taking her home, Sue didn't object. They had picked up Belle's seat in the bullpen, and the team had promised to stop by the apartment later on tonight with an update.

As they drove away, she almost teased Jack about his sense of direction, until she realized home wasn't where it used to be.

"Are you all right?" He squeezed her hand, and those gorgeous brown eyes of his gazed at her with all the love in the world.

"When my nephew was born, I remember my sister-in-law telling me she napped every time her son napped. I thought that was a bit exaggerated, but now, I totally understand what she meant."

The light at the next intersection turned red, and he slowed down.

"That's why they invented maternity leave. Once we're home, I want you to rest as much as you can. You have Belle and the new baby to think about."

Lucy had offered to take care of the paperwork for her, and she'd bring them tonight for Sue to sign.

"I love you, Jack."

His apartment came within view a few minutes later, and in the guest parking space, she spotted her car. Myles had driven it to get back to D.C. earlier today, but she hadn't expected him to drop it off until after work.

"We're home, sweetheart." He handed her Belle, picked Levi's leash, and offered his arm. "I'll get our luggage later."

In the hallway, they met Jack's landlady.

"Agent Hudson, a tall man with a badge came in with a Latino lady this afternoon. He said he was a friend of yours. I unlocked your door and let them in. He carried a huge box inside."

The muscles on Jack's arm tensed up. "How long did they stay?"

"A few hours. After they left, I checked in, and it didn't look like they stole anything."

"Thank you." Urgency had sprung into his steps. "Stay behind me with Belle, and don't look at the mess, I promise to clean up later."

As he opened the door, she braced herself for the worse, and was welcomed by a sparkling floor, a tidy living room, and a delicate citrus scent lingering in the air. She was impressed, but Jack looked shocked.

"Is something missing?"

"No... not that I can see."

She followed him into his bedroom, and gasped in surprise. A white crib with purple and pink butterfly sheets, stood in the corner of the room.

"It's beautiful, Jack."

And stuck between Jack's dresser and a closet was the matching changing table with a note pinned on it.

The tension in Jack's body ebbed away as he showed her the note.

My gift to all of you

Myles

PS: the sheets are clean for little Belle

"That's very sweet of Myles." She snuggled with Belle into Jack's arms. "Am I wrong to assume the Latino lady might have been his cleaning lady?"

Laughter shook his chest. "That'd be a good guest. What would you say if we let Belle try her new bed while you and I take a nap?"

Her little girl was fast asleep, but Sue knew it wouldn't last. "What about a shower?"