27 Ralphie Pearce II

Present-day.

Anna sat beside Levi; a victorious smile was on her face. "Josh Wright is the lead detective on the case, he and his team were first on the scene. Yet, they failed to neither apprehend nor make an identification of the suspect."

"Any witnesses or security cameras on-site?" Levi asked beside Anna.

"A witness, yes. A woman named Natalie Denver, she stated that she heard shouting followed by gunshots from outside her apartment. She looked out the window and saw a dark green sedan driving away. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to see the person driving." Anna informed.

"A trained agent getting shot while doing some top-secret work in a foreign country. Common sense is all you need to know there IS foul play."

"That's why you mentioned his name," Sam thought out loud, earning a grin from the woman.

"Yes, I believe you had a history together," Anna states, choosing her words carefully.

"You're keeping something from us, what is it?" Levi noted, looking at his sibling. Anna expelled a lungful of breath in frustration, Levi knew exactly her Tells.

"Pearce possessed an encrypted file in his laptop, classified information."

"About what?" Levi asked pointedly, Anna turned to him and then back to Sam. "A list of names, a watchlist of people with involvement in an international human trafficking ring. High profile individuals within the government."

"Missing?" Levi asked, "The laptop's there, but it's been wiped clean. He was supposed to deliver it that same day to one of our counterparts in Interpol."

"That would need a digital forensics expert, not me," Sam interjected,

"I trust your skills, Dr. Gray. Genius runs in your family after all" Anna states, looking at her pointedly, hinting on her brother's superb skills. The exchange did not go unnoticed by Levi, but he did not say a word.

"And if you can solve this case, the suspect can lead us to the list."

Heathrow Airport- 3hours later

Anna stood beside Sam and Levi on the tarmac, their jet taxiing towards them. "Agents from the CIA will pick you up at the airport, make sure to keep me posted," Anna informed, gazing up at her younger brother whose eyes were fixed at the redhead, observing. Sam had a thoughtful look in her green eyes, rereading in her mind the case file that Anna gave them in Levi's flat. Photos of the crime scene, the car, Pearce's position inside the vehicle. The test results and the post mortem report all flashed inside Sam's mind.

It was 11 and a half hours later when Sam got off the private jet followed by Levi at O'Hare International Airport. An unmarked black Suburban was waiting for them on the tarmac.

Two men in suits stood by the car, one with dark brown hair with average build stood around the same height as Levi. The other had raven colored hair and was 2 inches south of 6 feet. The tall man greeted them, "Dr. Gray, Mr. Jackson welcome. My name is Connor Sutton, and this is my partner Izaiah Tillman." He introduced, showing them his CIA badge. "Doctor Gray, Mr. Jackson." Tillman greeted, mirroring his partner's gesture.

Sam and Levi shook their hands, one after the other.

"It was a long flight; we'll take you to your hotel first." Agent Sutton said the two Consultants exchanged a look and Sam replied with, "No, we'd like to get started as soon as possible. Please bring us to where the body is."

The two agents made some calls, and they drove towards the Chicago FBI  Field office.

Levi turned to Sam; who's eyes remained fixed outside the window. "Josh Wright, who is he to you?" Levi asked the redhead, and the two men sitting in the front listened to their conversation. They recognized the name; Josh Wright was the lead detective on the Pearce investigation. He also happened to be a high-profile detective, and from what they know he was highly respected by his peers.

Sam shifted to the Irishman cocking him a brow, he had been dying to ask her that since the beginning back in London. She chuckled under her breath; her lip quirked into a grin that he waited so long to ask her that.

"Ex-lover?" Levi assumed when the redhead remained silent.

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't sleep with people I work with." Sam states confidently, then turned to look back out the door. Mentally scoffing at the thought of being in a relationship with that man.

Levi tsked, then leaned closer to the man on the driver's seat, and said in a mock whisper; "I'm sorry Agent Sutton." Whom he had noticed from the start was attracted to the woman.

Tillman guffawed in response, knowing full well what the Irishman meant. He noticed it too, how his partner's tone of voice deepened subconsciously during their introduction. Agent Sutton glared at his partner who was quietly laughing at his seat.

"Don't feel bad, it's not only because of her incredible work ethics. It's generally because you're not her type." Levi said, patting the man on the shoulder in feign concern. Tillman sent him a questioning look, "She prefers blondes." Levi generously informed.

"You mean, 'you're' her type, Mr. Jackson?" Sutton shots back, looking at him through the rearview mirror.

"I'm not deaf you know," Sam says, cocking her brow at the three gentlemen. Levi raised both his hands in mock surrender and leaned back to his seat beside her, but the cheeky smile on his lips did not disappear. And the other two muttered a 'Sorry, ma'am"

Half an hour later the four arrived, the four stepped out of the car and into the front entrance they came in. "I understood Dr. Gray, a world-renowned expert in Forensics being here. But Mr. Jackson, what's your branch of expertise?" Tillman asked suddenly, curious at the Irishman's skills.

"I'm a criminal psychologist, but to be honest I'm only here out of personal reasons," Levi admitted, as they stepped inside an elevator. Sutton pressing 23 on the button panel.

"You know Mr. Pearce?" Tillman asked, "Oh, not at all. By personal reasons I meant, I'm expecting this case to be incredibly fun." Levi stated, grinning widely, something the two agents found somewhat disturbing.

Josh Wright was seated in his chair in his office, landline on hand. The front desk informed him that his guests were on their way up. Josh, a man in his early 40's with graying hair vacated his seat. He then buttoned his suit jacket, making sure he looked presentable. He knew that experts/consultants from the British Security Service will be reviewing Pearce's case.

Lucille knocked twice on the wooden door, behind her were two CIA agents and the two consultants from London. After hearing a 'come in' from the other side, she swung the door open and said to her superior, "Boss, they're here."

Josh nodded, "Let them in." he said. He watched as the two CIA agents walked in then introduced themselves. Then entered after them was a blond man with slick blond hair, wearing a grey 3piece suit. Something he found too dressy for work. The first thought that crossed his mind when he looked at Levi was 'playboy from a rich family'. He didn't look much like an expert on anything if he was honest.

After Levi, entered Sam.

Seeing the familiar shade of red, Josh Wright almost shat his pants.

How could he forget?

Samantha Gray looked at him like he was a speck of dirt; and the fake smile that spread on her lips would make the Jackson siblings proud.

"Detective Wright, long time no see." Sam greeted, offering her hand for him to shake. After a pregnant pause, Josh accepted her hand, an awkward laugh passed his mouth,

"Dr. Gray, long time no see indeed."

Levi didn't miss the fear that flashed in the man's eyes. And the psychologist smiled, this case really was going to be fun.