CHAPTER SIX

"Ma'am, is there someone I can call?"

Jolene looked at the mess around her. Papers were scattered everywhere, cushions were strewn around the room and the Waterford vase Olivia had given her for her birthday two years ago, lay shattered on the floor.

"Ma'am?"

Jolene shook her head. There was no one to call.

The young officer picked up one of her kitchen chairs and sat it beside her. "Here, you'd better sit down."

Jolene obeyed.

"You might want to make a list of what was taken," the officer began as he handed her a pen from what once had been her desk.

Jolene looked around the room.

"Nothing," she whispered. She read his name tag, "That's just it Officer Jürgen's, I don't think they took anything."

Jürgen's tugged at the back of his neck, "You said you were in the bathroom when you heard a crash and locked your door?"

Jolene nodded.

"And you told the 911 operator you thought someone tried to enter your bedroom? Is that right?"

Jolene only nodded again.

A cold chill danced along her spine. Had she been the target?

She sat upright. The man she'd seen outside her kitchen window. She dismissed him earlier, but now?

"Ma'am I really think for your own safety you should probably find somewhere else to stay tonight."

Jolene rose and began walking upstairs. She need to change, pack a small overnight bag and then? A hotel? She couldn't bring herself sleep in Olivia's apartment.

She sighed as she went through the motions of packing. Tonight had started out so wonderful, and now…

She stopped on the stairs. Officer Jürgen was standing near the railing casually talking to Aaron Hotchner.

He looked up at her, a frown and worry etched across his face. He pulled out his cell and began talking as he made his way toward her.

"Yes, she's right here." He covered the phone, "Are you okay?"

Jolene nodded.

"Yes, Dave – she's fine. The house is a wreck, but she's fine."

"Dave?" Jolene asked.

Aaron nodded. He picked up her suitcase and motioned her down the stairs.

Jolene followed like a lost child. She just couldn't figure out who would do this. She watched as Aaron flipped his phone shut, tossed her bag into the back of his SUV and opened the door for her.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Dave's."

Jolene shook her head trying to clear away the fog, "Excuse me?"

Aaron helped her in and made his way around to the driver's side.

He waited until he'd backed out of the crowd of emergency cars, "You're going to Dave's. Don't worry, he has plenty of room."

Jolene didn't doubt it. If the fans at the bookstore had been any indication, he probably lived in a mansion.

"I don't understand. How did you find out? I mean…" Jolene took a deep breath, "How did you find out about the break-in?"

Jolene watched him in the dim interior lights of the SUV. He had a strong chiseled face, but tonight she'd watched a mischievous sparkle in his eyes as they'd danced. There was something primal and controlled about Aaron Hotchner, as if he shouldered the weight of the world.

He turned and glanced at her. Jolene thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitch in an almost smile.

"I do work for the FBI."

Jolene remained quiet.

"Dave and Mark go way back. Mark promised your sister…" he paused, "He told Olivia he'd look out for you."

Aaron pulled into a long drive, "Mark's on assignment. He has friends with the local PD, and when he heard there was trouble, he phoned Dave."

Jolene turned to look out the window. The forecast was right. The gentle flakes of snow were gradually melting against the warmth inside the car.

He parked and for a long time neither of them spoke.

Jolene watched as David Rossi made his way towards them.

He yanked her door opened and grabbed her hand, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Jolene shook her head, to touched by his kindness to speak.

Aaron had pulled her bag from the back and waited as Dave helped her out of the car.

Jolene looked at the two men. There was one more question she had to ask. "If Mark called David, then why are you here?"

"Why?" Rossi laughed, "He practically broke down my door when Mark phoned trying to get to you."

Aaron placed his hand on the small of her back as he led her towards David Rossi's home. "You're being a little dramatic, don't you think?"

"And you're avoiding her question," David replied.

She stopped. "You were worried about me?" She asked.

Jolene watched as the two friends shared a silent moment. What demons haunted these men? What drove them to face society's most evil minds day after day?

"Yes."