Hello! Thank you, thank you, thank you to stoneagequeen, Sue1313 and the-vampire-act for once again reviewing this story. I appreciate you taking the time to do that from the bottom of my heart!
A/N: I didn't plan very well when I named Jared's brother Dave. I was looking for a name that started with D and that was the only one that came. So, from now on I'm going to have to refer to Jared's brother as Dave and David Rossi as Rossi. Otherwise things are going to get very confusing in a hurry.
I'm avoiding having Emily, Garcia and J.J. in the story because I don't feel comfortable writing their characters. I almost didn't put Morgan in it either for exactly the same reason. If I make Morgan to anything that is out of character, PLEASE let me know.
I don't know that the next chapter will come as quickly but I'll do the best I can.
Susanne
CHAPTER TEN
Dave woke up with a start. Memories of the night before flashed through his mind. Damn, but that was a wild night, he thought. Rubbing his face with a hand, Dave looked around at the bed he'd woken up in. Beside him, the woman from the bar, he seemed to remember her name was Chris, was sleeping soundly. Thank God.
Using every skill he'd learned as a bounty hunter, Dave slipped out of the bed without disturbing her and found his clothes. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her up and have to deal with the awkward morning after conversation. He slipped into his boxers and jeans and was pulling his t-shirt on as he headed for the front door, his boots and socks clutched in one hand.
Parked out front he found his muscle car right where he'd left it. Climbing in the driver's side, Dave wandered if Jared had made it home last night. It wouldn't be the first time the stupid kid had spent the night walking. But that was because Dave had brought his new friend back to the motel room.
Man he needed a shower. Dave made the trip to the motel as quickly as he could without taking the chance of getting caught for speeding. That was the last thing he needed at the moment. He'd had enough to drink last night that he probably still had alcohol in his system. A DUI would certainly screw up his life.
Dave made it to the motel parking lot in one piece. He pulled up in his assigned parking spot, turned the car off and climbed the steps two at a time. By the time her reached the door, Dave had the motel key in his hand. Unlocking the door, he threw it open, hoping to catch his kid brother still snoozing.
It took a total of two heartbeats for Dave to register the fact that Jared wasn't sprawled on his bed, that he wasn't in the bathroom. What the hell? That didn't track. Quickly, Dave stepped into the room and dumped Jared's duffle bag onto the nearest bed.
"Damn it, Jared. Where are you?" Dave breathed as he realized all of his brother's clothes were there except for the ones he'd been wearing the night before. The shower forgotten, Dave trashed the rest of the room. All of his brother's stuff was here. Everything except him. Cursing under his breath, Dave picked up the phone. The sheriff wasn't a huge fan but he had to report his brother's disappearance.
OOOOO
Breakfast was an abrupt affair. Aaron spent most of the time fuming and playing with his food. The very sight of the bacon and eggs sent his stomach into convulsions. He finally chewed on the bread with a little bit of peanut butter on it. It was driving him absolutely mad to be sitting here when there was a possible lead on Spencer.
"You need to eat," Rossi stated. He'd eaten the majority of his own breakfast and had spent the last two minutes watching his superior. Two pieces of toast wasn't going to be enough to keep Aaron going and Rossi had the feeling they were in for a very long day.
"We need to go see what the sheriff found," Aaron countered. So far the bread was staying down. For that he was thankful. Now he felt the need to start moving.
"First I want you to take this," Rossi instructed as he handed over one of the pain killers the doctor had prescribed. He knew Aaron well enough to know that if he left the pills up to him, Aaron would keep forgetting to take them. It was a little early but Rossi wanted to make sure his boss took the pill the first time with food, just in case.
"I'm fine," Aaron stated. He looked at the pill was it were from another planet. The headache was beginning to reassert itself but at least he could begin to think clearer. Aaron wasn't sure he was willing to give that up.
"Either you take this pill or I'm going to lock you in the hotel room," Rossi said with a smile. It wasn't an idle threat. He would relief his boss of duty if Aaron made it his only option. Personally, Rossi hoped Aaron wouldn't push things that far.
Less than graciously Aaron accepted the pill. Rolling it between his thumb and index finger he considered calling Rossi's bluff. Then he put it in his mouth and swallowed it with some water.
"All right, let's go see the sheriff," Rossi stated as he stood up throwing a couple of bills on the table.
OOOOO
The trip to the scene downtown only took about ten minutes. By the time Rossi pulled up just outside the yellow tape, Aaron was sound asleep in the passenger seat. Putting the car in park, Rossi glanced over at his friend.
For the first time since he'd seen him this morning, the pain lines around Aaron's eyes were smoothed away. His mouth was slightly open and his forehead rested against the cool glass of the passenger window. Before he turned the engine off, Rossi rolled down the driver's window. He didn't want Aaron getting too hot in the morning heat, especially if he was going to leave him in the car.
"How's he doing?" the sheriff asked when Rossi joined him beside the nearest police vehicle. He could see the older man in the front seat.
"The pills are helping. Finding Reid would help even more," Rossi responded.
Nodding his understanding, the sheriff led Rossi to the alley. On the ground at the alley entrance was a smear of blood. Also in the area were acceleration marks from a mid-sized car.
"The shop keeper came out to sweep the sidewalk, same as he always does in the morning. This is what he found today," the sheriff said. "There's also blood spatter on the other sidewalk. My crime scene analysts have taken samples. Do you happen to know Dr. Reid's blood type?"
"I'm not sure. I'll find out and let you know as soon as I can," Rossi replied. This wasn't making any sense. How could the situation turn from an opportunistic kidnapping to a planned kidnapping of a federal agent? And who was the other blood donor? "Have you had any other missing person's reports?"
"Yeah, one just came in. A pair of bounty hunters was in town for the night after turning in a pedophile. They're brothers. The older one spent the night at a local woman's house after meeting her at a bar. The younger one went for a walk and hasn't been seen since," the sheriff stated.
"The brother had gone for a walk last night as well?" Rossi said more to himself than the sheriff. Things were starting to fall into place, he hoped. Hadn't Hotch mentioned a bar that he and Reid had gone to yesterday for lunch?
Before Rossi had a chance to continue with that line of thought, a car skidded to a haul just outside the crime scene tape. Looking over, Rossi recognized Morgan as the agent practically bound out of his vehicle and crossed the distance between them in a few strides.
"Rossi, what the hell is going on?" Morgan demanded. He'd seen Hotch asleep in Rossi's car. That simple fact told him just how out of whack things were.
"Sheriff Hicks, this is Special Agent Derek Morgan. He's come out from Quantico to help us in the investigation," Rossi introduced the bald African American to the slightly shorter sheriff. Then Rossi proceeded to fill Derek in.
OOOOO
Young Jared's tall, muscular body trembled under Rachel's fingers while she worked to clean up the gash marks Mary had left him with. Her own hands were trembling as well with suppressed rage. She hated Mary. She hated her for everything she was doing to these young men. She hated her for everything she'd allowed to help while they were growing up. Mary was older. She was supposed to protect Rachel from what she knew her brothers were capable of. Instead, she used removing her friendship as a way to keep Rachel vulnerable to their advances. Better they went after Rachel than her.
One part of Rachel's mind understood. The logical part, the part that could sympathise with the fact that Mary had been in an untenable situation as well and had used Rachel as a distraction. The younger, more vulnerable part of Rachel's mind railed against the decision Mary had made. Knowing what her brothers were, how could she throw Rachel to the wolves like that?
A low moan reminded Rachel that it wasn't Mary lying naked on the bed. She'd been using a little too much pressure while cleaning the last of the claw marks on Jared's stomach.
"Sorry," Rachel said. Mentally she chastised herself. She needed to keep her head in the game. Taking a few moments to collect herself, Rachel pulled the cloth off Jared's enflamed skin and rinsed it in the basin.
"Where am I?" The voice startled Rachel. She was too used to the young men not being awake enough to speak. She looked down into Jared's blue-green eyes and instantly felt ashamed.
"I'm so sorry," Rachel said. "You're in a hole in the ground."
"How?" Jared managed. He tried to move his hands but they were still bound. Mary hadn't trusted his size enough to undo the cords. Reid was much more easily managed even while awake.
"I'm not sure but I think Mary ran you over with her car," Rachel stated. She'd sat back on her haunches to give Jared a little more room. He was lying on his back with his arms trapped underneath. Rachel hadn't even finished cleaning his front yet. She had no idea of what kind of damage he was lying on.
"Please, help me," Jared said while he struggled weakly with the bonds.
"Sorry, sweetheart, that's not going to happen," Mary said from the door. Before Rachel had a chance to stop her, she stepped up to the bed and forced two valium into Jared's mouth. Then she placed her hand over his mouth and nose, making him swallow.
Satisfied that the young man wasn't going to get away, she turned to Rachel. "I have to leave to open the bar for the day. I've given them all their dose of valium. I'm going to take the SUV to get back to my car. I'll leave it there so I can come back tonight, the bar closes at eleven on Sundays."
"Don't you think you could use a good night's rest?" Rachel suggested. The thought of what Mary was going to do to the young men froze her blood in her veins.
"I've never felt better," Mary stated, a Cheshire like grin on her face. "Give me your keys."
Rachel had two choices. Refusing would mean that Mary would be here for the day when the young men really needed the time to recuperate. Saying yes would result in her having no way to leave. It was the lesser of the two evils. She'd brought enough supplies that they would all be fine for a number of days.
"Here," Rachel said. She tossed the keys over to the older woman and turned her attention back to Jared. All ready his eyes were becoming glazed as the drug took hold of his body. Silently, Rachel hoped Mary would get lost on the way back or drive her car over a cliff. Either option would suffice.
Without another word, Mary turned and left the room. She still had a busy day ahead of her.
OOOOO
"Is Hotch really okay?" Morgan asked. He was looking down at his Unit Chief through the passenger window. Except for the time Hotch's eardrum had been ripped open by a blast, Morgan couldn't remember seeing his boss so vulnerable and out of sorts. Even when Hailey had left him with Jack, Aaron had kept everything together. Looking at Hotchner now sent a chill up his spine.
"He has a severe migraine. The pain killers are keeping it manageable for him but they have other side effects," Rossi said.
"Where are the others?" Morgan asked. He had expected Emily and J.J. to be here.
"Emily and J.J. went to Vegas for the weekend. Will is babysitting," Rossi replied. "Garcia is waiting for our call in Tech. I need to know Reid's blood type. Could you find that out for me?"
"Sure. Then we're going to that bar to see if it's the connection we're looking for," Morgan stated as he pulled his cell out of its holder.