I can't believe I came back to write Chapter 4 after this fic laying inactive for nearly 4 years. I hope (if feedback is still good) to continue with this on a more regular basis. I hope you all enjoy. Side note: I know things have changed a lot in the series. But since I stopped around Season One basis. Is what its still at now.
It had been a solid two months since the death of Tom Keen. His subsequent burial had been a small affair. No more than maybe five in attendance. Since this time lapse, no one was any further to unraveling the ties with The Alumni, much less track down any of its members. Red was now at 15 weeks.
He was thankful to have made it past that precarious first trimester. This was especially astonishing considering his age. Even those a decade his junior lost theirs around the 8-12 week mark.
His appearance at the FBI headquarters was seldom at best. Though of course he never lost touch with Liz. Also making sure to keep correspondence open between his Turkish ties.
He pours through Keen's photos and documents. Perhaps there was something he overlooked. Just then he hears a chirping from his cell, breaking his concentration on the files before him. As to be expected, it was Liz.
"I'm sorry to bother you. But I was wondering if any progress was made with The Alumni?"
Her tone was bordering on guilty sounding for having even called. Of course this was no issue of Red's. He had much more pressing matters to tend to.
"Not a bother, Elizabeth. Unfortunately no, but that's what I'm looking back into now"
His words seemed to put her more at ease. He knew she had enough to on her plate with the pressures of her career and finding herself suddenly a widow. Not to mention the shady dealings discovered since Tom's death.
"Okay"
She replies simply and hangs up. This struck him as rather odd. Was she genuinely bothered he hadn't made progress? Or perhaps she wasn't put at ease after all. He could never know for sure.
And as far as his child's maternal ties were considered, well, Madeline Pratt wasn't exactly mother material. Sure, he himself had his demons. But it was best to keep distance of well known career criminals with a history of millions worth in diamonds stolen and production of fake banknotes.
He found the most suitable route was to raise the child on his own. It was going to be a difficult road, but in comparison to his other tasks. This was a cakewalk.
After more than an hr. looking over the documents and getting nowhere, he begrudgingly flirted with the idea of visiting the headquarters. My, how the tables had turned. They more-or-less recruited him for his knowledge of elusive criminals. Now it was him going to them for help. Damn pregnancy brain clouding things.
He hadn't even wanted Liz knowing of his condition, much less the FBI. So he took extra precaution that his sable trench coat covered his middle when walking through the main doors. Ressler was the first to spot him.
"Interesting to see you here"
He states in an almost snarky tone. Red gives a low chuckle and smirks.
"Interesting to be seen, now if you'll excuse me.."
He brushes past the special agent without so much as another word and heads for Cooper's office. Harold looks over through the window to catch a glimpse of Red walking his way. Motioning for him to come inside then hangs up the phone.
"Raymond..bringing good news on The Alumni front I hope"
Cooper declares whilst Red took a seat in front of him. He shakes his head and sighs.
"Dead end.. I was actually wondering if here turned up better results"
"One would think, but we're dealing with an organization that even our heavy hitters can't precisely pin down. Give it time, if anyone can draw them out it's you"
Red gets up from his chair. The two men exchanging small smiles and shake hands before he departs from the office. However, unfortunately this facile action proved to be anything but.
Unbeknownst to him. During that split moment of rising up from his chair. Did the trench part and Cooper was within full view of the former criminal's slightly burgeoning middle.