Thanks for the support!
Chapter Eleven:
J.J. picked up a few things for them so Reid and Clara stayed at Rossi's. Rossi hired his own security team, while Reid's home system was being rewired. It was the best solution that could be prepared in such a short time.
On Reid's birthday, Blake came over to watch Clara, while Reid went to see his therapist.
"She gets cuter by the day," Blake said as she held her.
"I don't want anything to happen to her," Reid said.
"And nothing will," Blake said. "I trust your team and so should you."
"I will Blake. Thanks for coming so soon."
"No problem, Spencer," she said as she began to rock Clara to sleep.
…
"I can't believe this is happening," Reid said. "After all this time and work, they're still after me!"
"Grudges are easy to nurse," Marone said. "Especial for those who have lots of time on their hands."
"How did this happen!?" he practically shouted. "I was so careful."
"Careful isn't always enough," she said. "There are some things you can't control."
He sat back. "Why does it feel like the world is out to get me?"
"We've discussed this Spencer. The world is not out to get you. We all run into times of misfortune."
"But not like this," he said.
"It is also about perspective," she said. "I promised that your time in prison will seem small in comparison to the rest of your life, but that will not happen overnight. You need to have faith in yourself that this will get easier."
"The process is harder when an envelope of laundry powder and cards are sent to you."
"I know," she said. "Trust your team to figure things out because they will. What you need to focus on is taking care of yourself and Clara."
"I ran away and threw up," Reid said. "I haven't felt that awful in months."
"That's an understandable response," she said. "Then what did you do?"
"Rossi found me and promised they would take care of the situation."
"Good, then what did you do?"
"I focused on helping the team," he said.
"Great," she said.
"It doesn't feel like enough though."
"It never does. How did you sleep?"
"I barely slept, I watched Clara the whole night."
"You know you also need to be rested for her too."
"I know," he said and put his head in his hands. "Why does everything have to be so hard?"
"Clara is a healthy and happy baby girl," Marone said calmly. "You have a team that will go to the end of the earth to protect you and her. Focus on the positives Spencer. If you sink into a hole of despair it will take more time to get out of without help."
"Okay," Reid said straightening up. "I'll try to stay positive. For Clara."
"Let's run through some breathing exercise okay? It will help calm your mind."
"Alright," Reid said.
"I'm going to count backwards and…"
…
Three floors below them, Rossi and Prentiss were in deep discussion.
"How trustworthy is Dr. Heather Marone?" Rossi asked.
"Garcia ran a background check on her yesterday. When she's not being the therapist to some of the highest-ranked agents, she's a busy soccer mom. She'd have no way of accessing the resources needed."
"Could someone for her though?" he asked.
"Not likely," Prentiss said. "I know you want to pin this on someone quickly but this going to take time."
"I just don't like how unsafe the kid feels right now."
"Me too."
There was a knock on the door. Prentis opened it to find J.J. waiting with a file.
"Lindsey's prison records," she said. "There was riot at her prison the day the mail would have gone out. Someone set a fire in the laundry room."
"But how'd she have access to cards?" Rossi asked.
"Forensics went over the cards again," J.J. said. "This is their report. They had been painted. The paper and illustrations are original but the content was altered. My guess is Lindsay collected them from other prisoners."
"What about how she accessed Reid's address?"
J.J.'s face turned grim. "Garcia has something to show you."
…
"It is called for lack of originality 'the scratch network'" Garcia said. "It is on the dark net designed by admirers of Scratch."
"Is this where Lindsey found Reid's address?" Prentiss said.
"That is our best guess."
"Does that mean Spence and Clara have to move?" J.J. asked.
"No," Prentiss said. "That might be what they want. Can you hack the system and change his address?"
"It will take me some time and I'll have to create a new alias…and yes its possible."
"Then do it," she said. "Make them think they have Reid in the wind."
"Any place specific do you have in mind?"
"The safe house where Scratch attacked us."
"How poetic," Rossi said.
"We'll see what happens from there," Prentiss. "Next, we have a birthday to celebrate."
…
Clara laughed and smiled through the whole party. J.J. suggested she thought party was for her. She was passed around until she fell asleep in Reid's arms.
Everyone tried to have a good time. Rossi bought Reid a whole set of replacement copies of books he lost when his mother caused the flood. J.J. got him a baby scrapbook. Lewis bought him a new journal. Prentiss got him a gift card to his favorite coffee shop. Alvez got him a gift card to his favorite Indian restaurant. Lewis and Walker chipped in and bought him a subscription of National Geographic for kids. Blake got him a rocking horse. Garcia wasn't around to give her gift but with her blessing J.J. presented Reid with a framed photo of him holding Clara surrounded by the team. Reid truly appreciated every gift and felt lucky to have so many good friends.
Prentis explained the situation after the party ended and the rest of the team except Rossi, had left.
"So, this is Lindsey and Scratch fans," Reid said with a sigh.
"Lindsey is being transferred as we speak," Prentiss said. "And Garcia is working on altering that database."
"We're taking care of it, son," Rossi said.
"When do you think Clara and I should go back?" he asked. "And will it be safe?"
"Tomorrow," Prentiss said. "We'll double the security until that network is taken down. We won't let these people hurt your life any further."
"Thank you, Emily and Rossi," Reid said. "For everything."
"You're family to us," Rossi said. "And you always will be."
"That is for certain," Prentiss said.
