Disclaimer: see part 6 Other Info: see part 6
part 7
~~~~~
"Let me get this straight." Simon said, removing the cigar from his mouth. "You wanna send Dakota and SANDBURG out on a date? Cause you think it'll attract the attention of our head-hunter?" He shook his head trying to mentally shake the information into place. The Captain had to verbalize it just to keep it straight. "Check me on this, now. Each of the victims had threats made to their significant others during the weeks before their murder. You want to set Blair up with Nikya and hope the man goes after them?"
The three nodded.
Simon puffed his cigar slowly, looking over the papers on his desk. Each of his movements was followed intently by the three. *They're holding something back.* One more puff on the cigar, then Simon leaned back in his chair. "So what are you NOT telling me?"
They stared at each other, watching the slow, knowing smile play over the captain's lips.
"How about some lunch, Sir?" the woman said, smiling and standing abruptly. "I'm buying."
"That bad, huh?" Simon watched as the three shrugged in unison. "That bad..."
~~~~~
"It's thin." he said, finishing the last of his coffee.
Detectives Ellison and Dakota looked at each other then turned their attention back to the captain.
"Hell, I seem to LIVE on thin with you and Sandburg, and I can see I'll be buyin' more property there with you. Huh, Dakota?"
Nik relaxed and sat forward. "According to the reports, all the women were involved in serious relationships. And their men were being threatened as well as stalked. Death threats, phone calls, the usual activities - even a couple of Peeping Tom reports."
Simon sipped his coffee and stared at his three officers. "And you think that the women were being forced to fight for the lives of their men as well as their own?" He watched her nod. Glancing to the other side of the table, Simon saw Sandburg enjoying a large salad, totally engrossed in the case files. If the idea of being bait upset the kid, it certainly didn't affect his appetite. Then again, nothing much did. His gaze shifted to the kid's partner. Usually the voice of objection, Jim was more than willing to allow the set-up. The captain was unsure of the implications of that. Should he be assured since Jim was confident in the plan? Or should he be scared of the persuasive powers Dakota was exercising? Banks listened to his team run down their theory and solution. All of the women had frequented a couple of local business, one in particular seemed to be their favorite. Jim and Nik proposed that should be the place to start.
"You've checked this place out?" Simon asked them casually, his attention centered on Dakota.
Jim shook his head. "Not yet, but..." and he trailed off, not sure of how to continue.
Sandburg was on top of things, as usual, even in the midst of eating. Without missing a second, he chimed in to finish. "We have the cooperation of friends... uh... of the deceased who've volunteered to meet us there. Kind of an introduction, you know."
Nik turned her head to avoid the raised eyebrow and questioning look in Simon's eyes. "It's a gallery, of sorts. Antiquities and rare treasures, located in the Cultural Loop. It's called Baernid's'..."
He managed to swallow the mouthful of coffee, but he did so VERY carefully. *This is damn foreboding.* he thought, then spoke. "It's down on the better end of Ingrahm Street."
There was no mistaking the surprise on each of their faces at his words. Simon laughed inside. "What?" He said with some innocence. "Don't think I get around? Don't just sit at home on the weekends, you know?"
~~~~~ ~ That night ~
"You're kidding me..."
"Shut up and get in the car, Sandburg." Jim said as he watched Nixia hand the kid her car keys and get in on the Chevelle's passenger's side. The laughter through the earpiece let the detective know his partner had heard over the two- ways. *She's certifiable. Gotta remember to tell her about Sandburg and vehicles...* He couldn't believe it himself, but it wasn't the time for talk. They needed to get going.
After discussing the case that morning, Nik had called Methos and Connor to clue them in and have them do some quick legwork - the result was the gallery. The two Immortals had talked to the victims' mates and gotten the name of the local Immortal mecca. Seems the place was an old stone church, renovated to display goods and artwork from many countries and time periods. The land, though, had remained consecrated - holy ground - and become a popular spot for Immortals. The decision had been made, then, that it would be easy enough to have Nik and Blair pose as a couple, visit the gallery a couple times, and let the perp pick them out. To be on the safe side, and keep Jim's abilities under wraps, they'd decided on the two-ways. It would be difficult to censor conversations, but there was too much at stake, for both Jim and Nik. A brief flash of guilt hit him. Dakota had shared her secret, and it may only be fair to share his with her.
"Jim,...Jim! JIM!...ELLISON!" Simon said finally, giving his detective a quick shove. He was rewarded with a blue gaze. "You had me worried. We're here." The two men watched as Blair and Nik walked through the heavy wooden doors. Jim had no sooner heard the door latch behind his partners when the buzzing started. It grew stronger and less painful as it came closer. Looking over his right shoulder, Jim recognized Connor through the window. He didn't have to force the smile that came to his face. Turning to tell Simon their company was there, he found his captain staring past him at the two men peering through the car window. Watching his friend closely, Jim was alarmed by the defensive stare on the man's face. The racing heartbeat didn't help any, either.
"Simon?"
The sound of his friend's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Sorry, Jim. Are these the victim's friends?" The words were a little more clipped than Simon meant. His only consolation was the fact that Jim was already getting out of the car. Banks followed his friend, knowing the man was a good judge of character. Seeing Jim at ease with the men put Simon at ease as well. *Friendlies.*
Jim noticed the eased brow and relaxed heart rate of his friend and captain. "Gentlemen, this is my captain, Simon Banks. Simon, this is Russell Nash and Adam Pierson." The men shook hands, smiles of relief forming on their faces. Jim checked Simon's heart rate one more time, then let himself relax. Introductions made, they decided it would be better to split up inside the gallery - Russell and Simon, Adam and Jim. It was Simon's choice for the pairings, basing it on an opportunity to gain information. The captain explained the split- up as more tactical, since only the officers had the radios. It was a bit awkward for Jim, not sure if Simon was going to be able to shed his cop attitude and demeanor. Hearing Simon's laughter as they headed towards the building, Jim relaxed a bit more and warned his partner they were on their way in.
~~~~~
"Genji Monogatari."
"Bless you, Chief."
"Thanks, but I was talking to the lady..." Blair smiled at Nixia who was standing next to him, her hand in his, smiling back at him with some amusement. "This is worse than double dating with my mom..."
She had to stifle her laughter. "That pleasant thought aside -" and she could feel herself blushing, Nik went on. "Genji Monogatari is the oldest novel in Japanese history. Comprised of some 60 volumes, it was written, remarkably enough, by a woman. Murasaki Shikibu, and she was only in her 20's at the time." That said, Nix moved around to the opposite side of the case, her hand trailing fondly over the glass as if she could touch the manuscript it held. "This set is from the 1600's, but the story predates it by about 700 years."
Blair looked at her in amazement.
From his perch on the second floor balcony, Jim watched the kid bouncing. "Look up, Chief." And he caught Blair's stare.
Removing the two-way earpiece, Blair sighed heavily and spoke so his Sentinel could hear him. "I'm loving this assignment, Jim. Another dose of the Sandburg charm, and I predict she'll be mine..." Waving up to his friend, Blair turned and walked up behind Nik. One last wink to Jim as the anthropologist wrapped his arms about the woman and rested his head on her shoulder.
Jim noticed the raised eyebrow Nik turned over her shoulder to Blair. "Another dose of the Sandburg charm and I predict she'll deck you..."
The hand on his shoulder didn't really take him by surprise. He'd heard Adam/Methos approach. What took him by surprise was the comment - and how softly it was said.
"I should think you and young Sandburg would be working on hand signals by now." His brown eyes countered the Sentinel's icy stare. "It's slightly awkward for him to be talking into thin air. Makes him appear - uh - unstable."
Jim leaned on the balcony railing, turning his back on his partner and removing the earpiece that connected them. He watched as Methos took the spot next to him and watched the action on the ground floor. "What are you saying, Methos?"
"I've known others like you, Jim." Methos watched Nix laughing at the young man's antics. "And Blair." He felt the large man's hand on his upper arm. "I'm not a threat, detective." he said placing his own hand on Jim's shoulder.
Something in the tone of his voice, the smile on the Immortal's face, and Jim knew Methos meant it. He wasn't a threat. Well, maybe to another Immortal, but not to the Sentinel - or his Shaman.
"I just wanted you to feel more comfortable." His hand patted Jim's shoulder, finding a sudden mass of tense muscles. "Jim, no matter what may have happened in the past, no matter what's been said - you must know by now that you're not a freak of nature." The raised eyebrow and arms crossed over chest let Methos know his words struck a nerve. "Surely Sandburg has told you that often enough? He's mentioned your genetic composition, right?" He watched Jim nod warily. "You have to understand. You're the BEST of the gene pool, not the worst. You have a gift that others would kill for."
Something in that statement hit Jim between the eyes. As Methos turned to look away, Jim saw the man bury his hands in his pockets and shiver. He knew then. "As others have tried to kill you for yours."
"You know what it's like to be the oldest living Immortal? It's like playing a game of Russian Roulette. I'm the last one to go. Only I've got a six-shooter in my hand and five men in front of me still alive." Methos nodded slightly, then took a deep breath, changing the topic as he exhaled. "You're one of a long line, you know. Burton's studies were, unfortunately, limited to his own time...he wasn't one of us." His smile seemed to ease the Sentinel.
"So..." Jim said as he closed his hand around the earpiece. He could, of course, ear the conversations without it. Turning his attention back to the man next to him, the detective continued in a more inquisitive tone. "You're the one who gave Nixia the Burton Monograph."
"Yes, we traveled in some of the same circles..."
"Well, don't let Sandburg know that. If I could get him to conduct interrogations half as well as he does research..." The two men laughed, taking one last look to the young anthropologist. Turning from the railing, Methos walked towards some armor and Jim followed. The conversation continued, more relaxed and casual, as the men found a common ground in warfare and strategies.
~~~~~
Laughter caught Simon's ear, and he looked over towards a couple intimately entwined and admiring several pieces in a large glass case. Usually, he wouldn't have given them more than a cursory glance, but it happened to be two members of his team. Obviously, the Sandburg charm had won over yet another woman. That's when he heard their conversation coming through the earpiece.
"No way ~ I can't believe you think my hair is permed..."
"Anymore than you think I'm wearing contacts..."
"I didn't say that... I just said they're such an amazing color, it's almost UNreal..."
"Well, I JUST said I wondered how your curls all went the same way when mine are so completely out of control all the time..."
"I told you I'm just charmed ~"
"And I told you, I'm not. No offense, Sandburg. You're cute and witty and intelligent, but I'm thinking I need someone more my age...."
His own laughter meshed with the sounds through the earpiece. *Gonna have to get her to give classes on how to resist that kid.* Simon thought, then shook his head. He was listening so intently to the conversation that Connor had to shake him a couple times. "Huh? What? I'm sorry, Nash. I lost track for a second..."
"S'okay, Simon. I know what that's like." He was starting to truly relax around Simon, noticing how his own accent had grown thicker as they'd spoken. But he still hadn't mentioned his real name. Connor knew he wasn't as trusting as others of his kind, but he wasn't as suspicious either. He was finding the man to be good company, as well as a good soul.
They'd been walking around the gallery for over an hour, talking about the many things there for display and purchase. Both were pleased to find similar likes, interesting dislikes, and the ability to relax, yet stay stern in appearance. More than one visitor had steered clear of the pair. Something on the far side of the main level caught Simon's eye, drawing him across the room. Connor didn't ask questions, just walked in the same direction. His mouth turned up at the corners as he recognized the sculpture. The two men circled the piece, examining all parts of it. The tempered metal, the obvious welds and strikes, every scrap and shard was lovingly crafted to recreate a favored Indian symbol. The large, three dimensional rendering amazed both men.
"I didn't think Duncan would ever let this out of his sight."
Hiding his shock at his kinsman's name, Connor smiled. "I didn't expect to see this one here, but I knew he'd loaned many of her pieces out for academic study and gallery displays."
"She had quite a gift..." and Simon shook his head, admiring the grace and raw beauty of the sculpture. The sadness on his face was reflected on Connor's.
"Did you know her?"
Simon shook his head. "Not personally, only through Duncan... Did you?" He watched the man nod slightly, a smile of delight on the man's face.
"Aye. We met a couple times. Quite a beauty - but then Duncan never did get anything BUT the best women..." Connor looked over to the large man, seeing that he'd taken off his glasses. He took a good, long look, surprised at the now-recognizable face. "You know Duncan well?"
It was Simon's turn to laugh. "We go back a few years... QUITE a few years." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he hoped Nash hadn't seen the tears forming at the corner's of his eyes. Simon remembered Duncan's loss, the pain of the woman's death. It was something he feared for his own family...and friends. Looking about, cautiously, Simon cleared his throat and asked, "What about you?"
Connor motioned to his ears and shook his head.
It took a few seconds, but the captain removed his two-way, tucking it into the palm of his hand then pushing the hand into his pocket.
"Connor MacLeod." And he held out his hand.
"Hmph - two MacLeods." Shaking his head, he shook the offered hand and smiled. Intrigued by the information, he ventured further. "Duncan's brother?"
"Same clan, different generations..." Connor began as they stood there admiring the sculpture. His explanation was cut short by the buzzing, and the two turned to face the source.
"An original Tessa Noel." came a small, squeaky voice. "We were lucky to get it. It's for display only, of course."
Banks looked down at the small man, hair slicked back and fashionable clothes. Underneath, though, he was the same old barterer. "Nice to see you, Bernie." Simon smirked.
"SHHHHH! Do you know what that name does to me? Eyech. I run a respectable place." He said quickly, pushing down the words with his hands.
The motion made the little man even more amusing. Simon smiled and shook his head. "What's the angle on this, Bern-"
"C'mon. Why do I gotta tell you every time you come in? It's Baernid... Bay-er-nid." He pronounced for them, his mouth overemphasizing the phonetics making him look much like a goldfish. "No angle. I buy, I sell. I trade! It's what I do best." He added his best smile, gold tooth and all.
Connor laughed. "Gave up on the used cars, huh?"
Wrinkling his nose at Connor, Bernie mimicked the question with disgust. "They weren't just used cars. I brokered classic vehicles. Things of beauty. Speaking of which, how's that Porsche?"
"Just fine. And safe back in New York. So?"
"So what?" Bernie said just a bit too nervously.
Simon grabbed the short man by the shoulder and squeezed. "So, we wanna know how you got Duncan to part with this?"
At the trader's reluctance, Connor reached into his jacket. The movement startled Bernie.
"Hey! Back off, Connor. Holy Ground..." Bernie shook his head, trying to relieve his headache.
Reaching into his pocket, Simon quietly pulled his badge and stuck it in the man's face. "Do you know what this is? This is my badge, Bernie. And I'm gonna display it proudly to everyone in here until I get an answer - either from you or from your records. What do you think?" As if to make his point, he showed the badge to Connor who looked at it and nodded approvingly.
"Very nice." Connor started. "I'm sure it'll make some people nervous. Not me, but then I try to keep on the right side of the law..."
"Okay...okay." The Trader conceded. "No lie, here. It's only here for a couple more weeks, then it goes to Rainier University as part of their Native Arts display. Okay? Okay?" Bernie looked up into two unamused faces. "Couple months ago, I came through with a rare piece for one of his bigger patrons. In trade, Duncan promised to put me on the loop. I thought it would bring in some bigger purses. Hh.h.honest."
"Uhn-huh. Well, Bernie." Simon started, placing his arm heavily around the man's shoulder. "Let's see if we can keep you that way..."
"Oh, c'mon." the little man whined, backing up. "I've got some great baseball memorabilia that just came in. I know how much you love the game..."
~~~~~