Part IX

The team didn't waste any more time heading to the prison. As Garcia promised, the superintendent was expecting them and one of the guards was waiting by the front doors to escort them directly to his office. He rose as the four came in.

"Good morning, I'm Jake Castell, Prison Superintendent. What brings the BAU here today?"

Hotch walked over and took the offered hand, shaking it briefly.

"Superintendent Castell, I'm Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and these are Agents David Rossi, Jennifer Jareau and Derek Morgan. We're here regarding the kidnapping of one of my agents."

There was a surprised expression on Castell's face as he gestured toward the chairs in the room as he sat back down himself.

"Kidnapping? What would that have to do with my facility? Do you think one of the inmates here has some information on the crime?"

None of the BAU team took any of the offered seats, but remained standing as Rossi answered.

"Actually, we think our man has been put among your inmates and we'd like to get him back."

A dubious look formed on Castell's face.

"I find that hard to believe. Who do you think would have been able to do something like that?"

Hotch considered the superintendent for a minute before deciding they would be best served by laying their cards on the table.

"This isn't to leave this office, but we believe Sheriff Salters of Jackson County to be the one responsible."

The room went quiet as Superintendent Castell leaned forward. Then he let out a soft, low whistle.

"Alright. Your story just became a lot easier for me to believe. I've heard my share of complaints about Salters and then some. When one inmate spouts off that a sheriff planted evidence, I tend not to listen, but I've got over a dozen inmates that claim Salters railroaded them into jail. So, what makes you think he brought your agent here? Is it something to do with Christopher Salters' death?"

"We believe so. My team was responsible for his son being connected to a series of kidnappings and murders of young women."

"Yeah. He wasn't a bit happy about his boy being sent here. Didn't want him associating with all the killers we have here, if you can believe that hypocrisy. Since none of this is leaving this room, I suppose I can tell you that there's been some investigations started on possible perjury and evidence tampering charges against Salters. But what led you here looking for your agent?"

"We know Salters was here earlier today. It was after his arrival that you had a prisoner added to your system. Jack Hotchner."

Hotch was pulling out his wallet as he spoke and flipped it open to a picture of his son. He showed it to the Superintendent.

"Fine looking boy you have there, but what does he have to do with anything?"

"Because this is Jack Hotcher. We suspect that the young man here under that name is actually our missing agent, Doctor Spencer Reid."

"Doctor Reid? Real lanky sort of fellow - looks real young and kind of talks like a textbook?"

"You've met Reid before?"

"Years back when I still the Assistant Superintendent. I accompanied him and a fellow named Gideon back to the interrogation rooms when they were conducting interviews with some of our death row inmates."

Turning to the computer on his desk, Castell typed in an information request, but frowned as the results came back,

"That shouldn't be right."

The tone of his voice raised a red flag for the team and Morgan spoke up.

"What's not right?"

There was a worried expression on Castell's face as he looked to Morgan while tapping his screen with one finger.

"This says Hotcher is In the same cell as Ronald Thorpe. Thorpe's not supposed to have anyone else in his cell. He has a tendency toward violence against other inmates."

Castell picked up his phone and called the cell block.

"Simmons. I want Hotcher brought to my office immediately."

After he hung up the phone, Castell turned back toward the team.

"Doctor Reid has likely changed some since I met him. He was fairly young then, as I recall. Do you have his records with you? Fingerprints?"

"We can access them through our Technical Analyst back in Quantico and have them here within minutes."

The phone rang and Castell answered it.

"Superintendent Castrell. Yes? What? Just a moment."

"Agents, that was my guard in the cell block your man is in. Thorpe is refusing to let him out of the cell until he 'talks to the Feds'. "

Rossi glanced to the others of the team.

"He's asking to talk to us? Sounds like Thorpe knows something about Reid."

Hotch nodded.

"If Salters was trying to get him killed because of his connection to the Bureau, it would make sense that he'd let word drop. We're willing to talk with him if you'll allow it."

"I don't like to give in to inmate demands. It sets a bad precedent."

A slight smirk formed on Rossi's face.

"Between you and me, I would hope this is a one of a kind situation."

"Fine then. Thorpe's not threatened violence yet, so let's do this. I'd prefer Agent Jareau remain behind though. A woman in that cell block is asking for trouble."

"Agreed. Mind if she sets up our laptop and contacts our Technical Analyst?"

"Be my guest."

"J.J., get in touch with Garcia and have her stay on the line."

"Right, Hotch."

"Morgan, Rossi – come with me and let's see what Mister Thorpe wants to talk to us about."