Who Says Timing Isn't Everything by Sammi M."So, you see, Sir, I couldn't push any more because Sandburg was already becoming suspicious and I didn't want him doing something stupid." Though his stance was rock-solid and without question professional, Jim Ellison's eyes begged his superior to understand. "As much as I wanted answers, my hands were pretty much tied."
Thankfully, Simon understood the bind his best detective and close friend found himself in. *Hell, with the way he's been describing Sandburg's behaviour, I'm sure if Jim had continued, the kid would have bailed and added an extra burden to their bond. Ellison couldn't have handled that.* "It's okay, Jim. You did all you could." The Captain sighed as he thought of what this case was probably going to do to his best team, but he had a job to do. Though he hated his next course of action, it was one that was necessary. "Okay, gentleman, we've got some planning to do. I'm not willing to solely take Lloyd's word on this. I will admit he has some disturbing evidence that points to Miss Sandburg, but I want us to find more so this is either dropped without further ado or ... the case is so airtight she'll need oxygen to get out." He eyed his other detective. "What are your impressions, Joel?"
"Having never met Miss Sandburg, I can't judge her one way or the other. What I can tell you is how I feel about Lloyd." Joel paused and seemed to gather strength for a distasteful task. "There's something about the guy I just don't like. It's nothing I've seen him do, but my gut keeps telling me this guy has a hidden agenda that we're not privy to. Bottom line: I think we should set up surveillance on Miss Sandburg *and* keep an eye on Lloyd. That way, if he does have an agenda, we can nip it in the bud rather quickly before he can damage the case."
"Good suggestion and I concur. Jim, I want you to coordinate things with Lloyd concerning the surveillance. This should be easier considering she's staying with you. Joel, I want you to look a bit more in depth into Lloyd's background and see what you can dig up. I know we did a prelim and found he was cop in good standing, but I want to make sure there aren't any other surprises waiting for us. When you're not doing that, help out Lloyd and Ellison with the surveillance." Simon sighed. "For right now, I want only the three of you working on this. Just in case this isn't what it seems, I want the Sandburgs protected." He looked at both his detectives wishing this case on anyone but them. "If there's nothing else, you can get to work." Almost as an afterthought, the Captain added, "Good luck. Something tells me we're going to need it.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%Schuy was tired as she dropped her bag on the sofa. She'd left the loft with Blair because the Jag was in the shop and none of her people were in town yet. From then, she'd spent almost all day checking out things and re-learning the ins and outs of Cascade. It was amazing how much a city could change in a few years. Places that hadn't been there before suddenly were and things that were there then now weren't.
At this point all she could think about was getting a nice meal and falling asleep to her brother's heartbeat. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any more accusations from Ellison, but something told her not to hold her breath.
As if hearing her thoughts, Schuy picked up on the detective's heartbeat entering the building. It came through so loud and so suddenly that she almost jumped from the couch. *Damn! What a time for that to kick in. I'm really going to have to talk to Blair about this.* By the time she had her racing heart under control, the big man had unlocked the door and entered. He shot her a look that could freeze hell and cocked his head in the direction of Blair's room. When he seemed satisfied with his results, he turned back to her and gave her a very charming smile. *Boy, he can sure turn it off and on at will. I wonder what he wants.* "If you're looking for Blair, he said he might be a little late tonight because of a student. If you're looking for dinner, I found a place earlier that specializes in Southern cooking and Blair's going to pick up my order on his way home." She couldn't resist the little demon that egged her on. "If you're looking for the silver, I haven't found a buyer for it yet, so it's still there."
Jim moved closer to the sofa and smiled down at her. "That's good to know. It's been in my family for years and you should make sure you get a great price for it." He motioned to the space beside her. "May I?"
"It's your castle. Sit wherever you like."
"Well, I was just a little concerned my presence might upset you further. Your heart was really racing when I came in and I didn't want to startle you more by just dropping beside you."
*He heard my heartbeat? Uh uh. I had it under control by the time he hit the door. There is no way he knew I was startled ... unless ...* "Actually, I thought I had forgotten something at work that was really important. I hadn't, so I was able to calm myself down fairly quickly. It's amazing that you noticed."
If possible, an even bigger smile graced Jim's face. "Great observation skills are a requirement for detectives. It didn't take much to notice your flushed features, your increased respiration and that little pulse above your right eyebrow going wild."
*Oh, he's good. When he found the time to watch me is beyond me, but it seems that he did. But, I *know* I was under control when he walked in. I've spent too many years hanging with Blair and his relaxation techniques to know when I'm in control and out of it. Good try, though. Come to think of it, this does explain that absolutely stupid rule about flushing.* "Well, now that that's cleared up, I think I'll set the table so we can sit down and eat as soon as H.B. gets here." She stood and headed for the kitchen area, whistling a little tune slightly off-key - so low only dogs could hear it. Without him noticing, she shot glances at the increasingly uncomfortable man on the sofa every time she hit a wrong note. *Oh, yeah. You've got at least one enhanced sense. I wonder how many more Big Brother's tested.* As she grew more and more tickled by Jim's reactions, a familiar and welcomed heartbeat entered the building. Figuring she'd done enough and not wanting Blair to be angry, Schuy stopped whistling, much to the relief of the man on the sofa. She couldn't resist a snort, though. *Now we're even from this morning.*
Blair bounded into the room with his backpack on his shoulder and his arms filled with bags of aromatic treats. His stomach had been grumbling since he'd stopped at the restaurant and he'd promised it double helpings of everything. As he placed the last bag on the table, he realized that both Jim and Schuy were home. *Oh boy, this ought to be interesting.* "Hey, Snip. So, you did beat me home. You could have done the dinner thing and my stomach wouldn't be quite so ticked at me right now." He turned to his friend and smiled. "Hey, Jim. How was the rest of the day? Things go pretty smoothly without me?"
Jim stood and joined them at the table. "Never smoothly without you there, but it was a tad quieter, Chief." He sniffed the contents of the bags. "Smells good, Schuy. Was this place here before you left Cascade?"
"Nope, it's fairly new. The only reason I found it was one of my contacts mentioned he'd eaten there yesterday. I knew how much Blair had loved the cooking when we were in Atlanta one year, so I decided why not."
They sat and began to dish out the many delicacies before them. Small talk was tossed back and forth between them throughout the meal and laughter permeated the room. By the time dessert was being passed out, the tiny group had started teasing and challenging each other.
Jim really seemed to be getting into the fun, much to Blair's relief. "Okay, Schuy, we've seen you're a woman of many talents, so here's a new one for you. I challenge you to float a spoon on your nose without blowing on it first."
Schuy rolled her eyes. "Not a problem, Ellison. Why didn't you pick something hard like singing the 'Star Spangled Banner' backwards? Check this." Carefully, the girl rubbed the spoon on her nose a couple of times before placing it there and gently removing her hand. "See, piece of cake. Try something a bit more challenging next time, Detective." She quickly dropped the spoon and squinted her eyes at the man opposite her. "My turn. The sweet potato pie before you has won awards due to one special ingredient the chef uses. Your mission, Jim, should you decide to take it is to figure out what that one ingredient is. I've been told, it's impossible to guess because it's not a normal pie ingredient. I bought the recipe when I ordered the food and I can tell you this one *never* crossed my mind. So, whadya say? Up for the challenge?"
Blair couldn't help himself as he fought the laughter. "Of course he's up for it. This'll be a piece of ... cake." Thanks to a few glasses of wine, the younger man was feeling no pain - or any control because his giggles were almost drowning out his words. "But, if he doesn't get it, I'll disavow any knowledge of him."
The younger people found this hilarious and Jim managed a chuckle or two as he picked up his fork and separated a medium-sized piece. As he raised it to his mouth, he noticed both pairs of eyes were concentrating on him. It was clear, even in his slightly blitzed state, Blair was waiting for more validation of all their training, but the look in Schuy's eyes could almost be considered calculating. Almost as soon as he thought that, the look was gone. *Maybe I imagined it. Anyway, on with the show.* He opened his mouth and slid the fragrant piece in. A wide range of tastes tickled his tastebuds and he was able to catalog each one rather quickly as he chewed. But, there was one that eluded him. It stood out rather blatantly to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on ... "Cayenne pepper. She didn't use much, but it's definitely there."
"I cannot believe it! You're right. She uses just a pinch in each pie to awaken the tastebuds to the other ingredients. That is amazing. I never would have guessed it in a million years." She raised her arms and lowered them in a servile manner. "We are not worthy. We are not worthy." *We also have proof of two enhanced senses and neither of them have a clue I know. I think this is going to be more fun than I originally thought.*
Seeing her rise and start gathering the discarded dishes, Jim joined her. "Since Blair is pretty much blotzed, I'll help you clean up. I mean, it's only fair considering you did do dinner."
"Does that count if it's from a bag?"
"You're talking to one of two bachelors who co-habit an apartment; of course, it counts. Some of our best meals have come from bags and boxes and those little aluminum things that are such a hassle to re-seal." In no time at all the dining area was spic and span and Blair remained somewhat oblivious to all of it. Jim grabbed a seat on the other sofa and watched as Schuy sat beside the other Sandburg. "When you get the chance, could you write down the info about that place. Now that I know excellent food like that is around, I want to keep the number handy."
"Not a problem. In fact, I can do you one better." She stood and grabbed the mini-pack she used as a purse. "When I was placing the order and getting the recipe, I also picked up a few extra cards. I'll just gr..." Schuy stopped as she stared down at an ornate invitation. "Oh, gods."
All the colour drained from the young woman's face and as she swayed, Jim quickly moved to her side. "Are you okay, Schuy? Schuy? Come on, kid, answer me." When he didn't receive an answer and he noticed quiet tears rolling down her face, Jim did the only thing he could think of. Without releasing her, he gently, but firmly, nudged at Blair with his leg. "Blair, buddy. I need you to wake up. Something's wrong with Schuyler and she's not responding to me. Come on." With a hint of desperation, Jim added a bit more force to his nudge - a kick, actually - and yelled, "Sandburg!"
Blair shot straight up and swayed for a few seconds as he tried to focus. When he was more in control, he glanced at the couple standing before him and noted their obvious distress. Without thinking, he attacked. "What did you do to her?" He demanded.
"Nothing, Chief, I swear. One minute she was digging around in her purse for a card from that restaurant and the next she was like this. I was as surprised as you were."
"Sorry, Jim. I just flashed on this morning without thinking." Blair took his sister's face in his hands and gently began to caress her cold and wet cheeks. "Schuy, it's Blair. It's time to come back. Whatever it is can't hurt you any more and I need you to come back and tell me what it was so I can stop it from hurting you again. Come on, baby."
Slowly the eyes moved up from the card and focused on Blair as his words penetrated wherever the girl had gone. Both Jim and Blair breathed a sigh of relief when a tiny voice called out, "Blair?"
"I'm here, Snip. I'm here."
The tears flowed more freely as Schuyler returned to the present. "She's gone, Blair. He took her away and she's never coming back. He took her away from me because she was my friend."
"Who was taken away? I don't understand."
"He took Hannah away. He killed her because she was my friend and he knew it would hurt me." As Blair wrapped her tightly in his arms, her sobs increased almost to the point where they could barely make out the one question she kept asking. "Why? Why, Blair? Why her and not me?"
Jim silently watched as his best friend gently walked his sister to his room and shut the door. A sad look had replaced the happiness that had been on his Guide's face just a few short hours ago. He seemed to have aged and the Sentinel's heart went out to him. Once he was sure they were in for the night he turned to get the lights only to find himself facing the card that had started the whole mess. The detective bent over and picked up the decorative slip and read flowing script. As he finished, he could only shake his head and wonder what all was going on.
With nerveless fingers and a weary soul, he laid the card on the table and finished with the lights. The moon chose that moment to break free from the clouds and spotlight the little piece of paper and if anyone had been left in the room, he/she could have just made out, "You are cordially invited to the wedding of Hannah Elizabeth Jacobsen to ..."
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