JJ holds up a copy of the dash cam picture. "We are asking this woman to please give us a call as she may have seen something in the alley where she was ticketed. We know she was just there to graffiti the wall and we don't have any plans to charge her with anything more. We simply want to ask her a few questions. If you think you know this woman, please encourage her to call us or call us yourself so that we can reach out to her. Thank you for your help in tracking her down."
She watches as officers distribute copies of the picture to the waiting media horde. As they finish, she steps to the podium. "Are there any questions at this time?"
"Is it true two officers were shot by this woman's accomplice?"
"No. Two officers were shot earlier while looking to question another potential witness to the murders."
"Did the FBI Agent kill the shooter?"
"The investigation into the shooting is on-going and no firm conclusions have been drawn at this time. It would be premature to speculate on who shot whom."
"What about the links between the murders of Santa Claus to the killings of clowns in San Diego?"
JJ is shocked. They had been careful not to let that information out. Outwardly, she betrays nothing. "As far as we know, our killer is only responsible for the murders in Seattle. No correlation has been found between him and any other spate murders that have occurred in the last year. I have no more time for questions right now. I will be in touch to let you know when the next briefing will occur. Thank you."
JJ turns and heads inside the station. She goes straight to the bathroom, needing some time alone and needing to splash cold water on her face. How the hell had she managed to keep herself together when inside she was angry and just wants to pummel the body of the man who would dare hurt Emily.
As she is drying off her face her phone rings. She grabs it, praying it's Emily. Instead her heart leaps in her throat as she sees "Rome" on the screen. She takes a deep breath and answers.
"Elizabeth."
"Jennifer, is she okay? Really?" Elizabeth sounds frantic.
"She's going to be fine. Basically they are flesh wounds. She lost some blood and she was in shock. She may have been okay but she dragged her partner down the hall and covered him until help arrived. Stress made her lose more blood than she normally would have."
"I've tried to call her but she won't answer. Are you with her?"
"Her phone was left at the scene. It will be returned to her soon." JJ takes a deep breath. "I'm at the precinct. I just had to lead a press conference where we released the photo of a potential witness."
There is silence on the other end of the line. "Why are you working instead of being by her side, Jennifer?" the ambassador asks disapprovingly.
"Because it's what Emily would want me to do. We have to stop two killers, Elizabeth. And those two killers set Emily and Reus up to be shot. I'll do whatever it takes to hunt the bastards down and make them pay for everyone that has been hurt by them," JJ says vehemently.
There is another pause. When the ambassador speaks, this time it is with respect. "Well put, Jennifer. Good luck bringing those bastards to justice. And when you talk to Emily, tell her I love her."
JJ smiles. "I will. Thank you for calling, Elizabeth. I really needed to hear a friendly voice."
"Thank you for answering. I needed to know Emily was really okay. Take care of my girl, Jen."
"I will. I promise."
JJ hangs up, her heart lighter than it had been. She stares at herself in the mirror. "Work the case, JJ. Work it so you can get your wife home where she will heal better."
She straightens her blouse and jacket. She turns towards the door as it opens…to admit Elle Greenaway. The two women stare at each other; one nervous, one furious. JJ finally breaks the awkward silence.
"How's Reus?"
"He made it through surgery. Next 48 hours will be the key. If he makes it through he should be fine eventually," she answers flatly.
"Good. That's really good news." They stare at each other a moment more. Finally JJ starts towards the door. "Well, I need to go—"
"It was all Emily's fault, you know. She's the one that led him into a trap. She's the one that nearly got him killed. She's no better than Hotch at keeping people safe. You might want to keep that in mind if you and your kid are going to be around her."
JJ's emotions had already been running dangerously close to explosion. Elle has now ignited them. Before she realizes what she's doing, JJ draws back and punches Elle in the face. The detective goes to the ground. JJ stands over her.
"You say one more word against her, one more disparaging remark about her character, you will find out I can do more than hit. Got it?"
JJ steps over Elle before the brunette can answer. JJ storms down the hall and out of the building. She runs into Reid and Morgan who are jogging up the steps. They see JJ is on edge and in a hurry.
"Oh, God…Emily?" Reid asks. Morgan can only pray silently.
"She'll be fine. I need some air. Excuse me."
She steps around them and heads down to the parking lot. She leans against the back of one of the SUV's. Pulling out her phone, she scrolls through until she finds the PowerPoint Garcia had made before the Denali case. JJ watches the images flash across the screen, drinking in the images of Emily and Henry. Drawing strength from the loves of her life. Trying to settle herself knowing how easily it could have been Emily in Reus' position. Or how the shooter could have targeted her first when he came out the door.
"Oh, God, Emily. Too fucking close. What would I do if…" she can't finish the thought. She knows she needs to regain control of her emotions. There was a job to do. They were down one agent and one detective. Possibly two detectives depending on what Elle decides to do in the aftermath of their confrontation.
JJ wipes her face and heads back inside. She meets her team in the lobby.
"There's been another murder," Hotch tells her. She looks beyond him to see Elle walking towards them. JJ looks back to Hotch.
"Let's go."
The FBI agents head out to their SUV's and follow Greenaway's Crown Victoria to the latest crime scene.