Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or the characters. Some "guest stars" are based on people in my life while others are totally made up, as are some places and random actions.
Happy Halloween 2015!0
Chapter 11
"When was the last time you saw your sons?" Hotch asked Joel Hister, the Jackson brothers' father. The tall, bulky prisoner visibly stiffened after they introduced themselves as federal agents.
"Must've been seven years ago, I reckon," the prisoner's voice was gravelly and instantly reminded Hotch and Morgan of UNSUB A. "Their mom used to bring them on their birthdays. Last time was for Grant's eighteenth."
"What was your relationship with their mother like?" Morgan asked.
"That woman's nuts. You know that saying, 'the light's on but nobody's home?' It always seemed like she was a million miles away. But she's smart as hell. She was able to spin situations to work out for her. But then she'd spend days in bed, like all that spinning was exhausting." He sighed. "She's a manipulator."
"Sounds like two different women," Morgan remarked.
"It was like living with two different women, sir. She could be really sweet and like a kid, but then she'd get these rages that would leave us running. She'll have you believe that I abandoned them but the truth is she kicked me out after burning all my clothes inside the house. I chucked them outside so the house wouldn't burn down and she nearly pushed me out the window. I left, went to a friend's, got high as a kite, and robbed the store." He winced at the memory.
"I did seven years for that and she visited almost every week, apologizing for everything. So, when I got out I went home. She acted like she saw a ghost when she saw me at the door. She went crazy: pulled out her own hair, cut herself with a knife. I managed to get the knife away but when the cops showed up she said I'd cut her. Since I'd only been out of prison five seconds they believed her. Been here pretty much ever since."
"What was their relationship with their mother like?" Hotch asked.
"When they were little they spent most of their time in their room. They were super close since Alfie was born. I think she only kept them for the welfare. But she fed them and took them to the doctor."
"Did you know she moved out of state before Alfie was out of school?" Morgan asked.
"I haven't had any contact with her since Grant's eighteenth birthday."
"Do you think they went with her?" Hotch barged.
"I know Grant and Alfie graduated from the same school here in Indiana and they went to the local college. If they did go they didn't stay."
"Are you aware that Lola had a brother who left the boys a lot of money?" Hotch asked.
"No. Lola told me her brother abused her and she never spoke to him and she said her parents were dead. She changed her last name so she wouldn't have any ties to them. I don't know whether it was true or not. I mean, she's a pathological liar. If she lied on me it wouldn't surprise me that she lied about that as well."
"Her father is alive and lives in West Virginia," Hotch explained. "It seems they kept in contact."
Hister shook his head. "That woman's told so many lies I don't think she knows what the truth is anymore."
"Thanks for your time." Hotch said as he and Morgan stood to leave.
"Wait!" Hister called. "You didn't tell me why you're here."
"Your sons are in serious trouble, Mr. Hister. At best they'll be joining you in here soon," Morgan said as they left the room.
"Let us know right away if he makes any phone calls and record every word," Hotch told the warden as he walked them to the SUV.
"Mr. Franklin? I'm SSA Callahan and this is Dr. Reid." The two agents sat across the table in the interrogation room from the teacher.
"Do you remember two brothers named Jackson that took your class?" Reid asked the teacher. The file said he was thirty-nine but he looked more like twenty-five.
"Grant and Alfie? Sure I do. Good kids, never caused trouble. They used their free periods to monitor the computer labs."
"'Monitor?'" Kate asked.
"Yeah. Fix printer jams, unfreeze screens, minor hardware fixes. Stuff like that," the teacher smiled.
"They sound proficient," Kate remarked.
"I remember they rarely spoke, even to each other. It's like they didn't need to. If anyone had ESP, it was those brothers. And very smart. I'd call on one of them for an answer and they always answered right, even though they never raised their hands."
"You seem to remember them well," Reid said.
"They took Web Design and Auto Shop and every computer class the school offered. They got good grades but didn't go for Honors or AP. They didn't want to take all the required courses. They did their basic courses and filled up their schedules with electives, usually computer classes, and took both trade classes junior and senior year. That took over their entire afternoon. They had the brains but zero ambition. They were content being behind a computer. They were always together, even though they were a grade apart. Grant would take Alfie to lunch everyday on his lunch break and Alfie would text during class.
"You let him text in class?" Kate raised an eyebrow.
Franklin shrugged. "Sure. His grades were perfect and he helped the younger students. If I thought it was affecting his grades or performance I wouldn't have allowed it. It seemed like those boys only had each other. I know their dad was in prison and their mom was not all there. There was never evidence of abuse. Just quiet kids."
"Was Grant like a father-figure to Alfie?" Reid asked.
"Kind-of. He watched over him." Franklin frowned.
"What? What is it?" Kate asked.
"I was just thinking. Alfie liked helping people but he only did it after Grant graduated. They were different. Grant was harder and tougher, like he didn't have time for anyone besides himself and Alfie. High school can be hell for introverts but it seemed Alfie came out of his shell without Grant."
"Thanks for your help, Mr. Franklin," Reid said as they left the room.
"Hello, Mr. Owens. I'm Agent Rossi and this is Agent Jareau. You used to employ Grant and Alfie Jackson?" Rossi shook the middle-aged man's hand. He noticed the man had dirt and oil embedded in his skin and nails. He appeared older than he was, with prematurely grayed hair and handlebar mustache. It was obvious this man worked hard most of his life.
"Let's go into my office," Owens suggested. "It's quiet and private."
"Sorry about that," he apologized as he closed the door to his office and gestured to the chairs.
"It's all right, Mr. Owens," JJ replied. "We understand you're running a business."
"In answer to your question, yes, I used to employ Grant and Alfie Jackson. They got into some money and decided to travel some. Told them they could come back whenever they wanted and they can have their jobs back." Owens sat down.
"Wow. That's... generous." JJ was surprised.
"I guess so but they were excellent workers. Kept their heads down and didn't cause drama. Didn't constantly bitch about their old ladies. Always did what was asked and didn't need to be baby-sat. They both started right out of school while going to college. Already ALC certified right out of high school. You don't get too many good ones and they never took vacation in six years. They deserved a break," Owens answered. "They gave two-weeks notice."
"They had no work history. Why hire them?" Rossi asked.
"I owed their uncle a favor. Back in '08, I was ready to close up the shop. Both factories had massive layoffs and the town was dying. But Scot Kryer came in one day and offered me a loan but only after I agreed to hire his nephews after they graduated. He brought their report cards and I saw they were taking classes at the school and I know most kids leave there with their ALC. I said OK. Best decision I've made. I got to keep the shop and got two great workers."
"You said they wanted to travel?" JJ asked. "Did they say where?"
"They weren't social at all. Never went to the bar after work or to parties or barbecues, even they were invited and always welcome. I did overhear them taking about going to D.C. and meeting a girl there."
"When did you hear that?" Rossi asked.
"Their last week. It was a Thursday because I remember it was payday."
"Did they pick up their last checks?" JJ asked.
"Nope." He reached into a filing cabinet. "Here. Still have them. They said to put the money back into the business but I was waiting for them to come back." He gave the envelopes to Rossi, who looked at the address.
"Do you mind if we keep these?" Rossi asked.
"I guess so."
"One more question: do you know where they live?" Rossi asked.
"The address is county. Close to the county line, actually, but I've never been out there."
"What do we know so far?" Hotch asked when they returned to the Indianapolis field office.
"Mr. Franklin, the teacher, said that both boys were very into computers but that they also took auto shop and got their certifications before graduating," Kate announced.
"He also said Alfie was more outgoing when his brother wasn't around. He engaged in helping younger students the year after Grant graduated." Reid added.
"Their boss was bribed by the brothers' uncle to hire them in exchange for a loan. He was getting ready to lose his business and Scot Kryer gave him the money to keep it going only if he agreed to hire his nephews after they graduated high school. He did and never regretted it. Apparently they were exemplary workers. Owens was put off by their lack social life and has no idea where they lived," JJ explained.
"They gave a two-weeks notice before leaving and never got their last checks. They told Owens to put the money back into the business," Rossi continued.
"The boys' father said their mother was prone to rages and depression. She treated the boys well enough to fool people but did little for their emotional and psychological health. He also believes she's a pathological liar."
"He said he claimed to have been abused by her family and lied about them being dead. Joel Hister is a pretty big guy but he seemed scared of Lola. If his story is true, he has reason to be. He claims that the day he was released for the armed robbery, he came home and she attacked herself with a knife and blamed him. And during his first incarceration she visited him almost every week. Prison records prove it," Morgan finished.
"Those kids needed a parental figure their entire lives. They found one in UNSUB C. Even if it's an online relationship it's more than they ever had with their biological parents," Rossi said.
"I think we can assume UNSUB A is Grant and UNSUB B is Alfie," Hotch said. His phone rang. "Kevin," he greeted. "I'm putting you on speakerphone."
"Sir, I am trying and for the life of me I can't figure out where and how Scot Kryer spent his money. He had plastic early in life but barely used it. He never took out a car loan and paid his mortgage in less than ten years. The house burned down twenty years ago. Electronical fire. He took the insurance money and invested it. And he knew what he was doing. He made a ton of dough and bought the lots around the piece of land the house used to be on. He owns ten acres there. As far as I can tell he spends half of what he invests. All he has in his name is the van and the land."
"What the hell is with this family?" Morgan growled. "It's like every psychological disorder we know has been tossed around and the boys have a bit of everything!"
"Signs of bi-polar, borderline, schizophrenia... all untreated. UNSUB C found two very sick men and is using them to extract revenge," Reid added.
"Keep digging, Kevin," Hotch said
"Yes, sir."
"We need to update the sheriff," Hotch said. His phone rang again and he frowned. "Kevin, did you find something? Right. Send it to us. Ok." He hung up.
"What is it, Hotch?"Morgan asked.
"They sent another link," Hotch answered. "Kevin just sent it to our tablets."
A/N: Even with a head cold and cramps, I feel better than I have all week. Thanks again for the prayers and love. I love to read the reviews and I'm glad y'all like my story. It's a bit lull right now, but I'm trying to make it as real as I can, you know? Sending positive vibes to my friend PolHop who is going through a rough time. Much love, PitaCake.
