I hope you enjoy this!
Chapter Eleven:
"Alex Blake?" Bridges said as she entered Dulles airport early Thursday evening.
"Guilty as charged," she said with a smile.
Blake had a full pack of camping gear like Bridges. She was also dressed in casual layers with her hair tied back.
"You look ready to hike," Bridges said.
"So, do you," Blake said noting her gear.
"It should be fun," Bridges said at they entered the security checkpoint.
"I've hiked before, but nothing like this," Blake said.
"I've hiked Yellowstone, I have heard Glacier is stunning."
"So, have, I," she said.
Once Blake and Bridges found their boarding gate, Blake pulled out a notebook and angled it away from a camera.
"Do you like this sketch?" she asked.
It was a note that said:
Is there a place where we can talk openly?
Bridges shook her head.
"You're good, but it's just not my style."
"I see," Blake said.
They sat in companionable silence as the weight of their mission and unanswered questions weighed heavily on them.
…
A woman in her mid-fifties with her faded gray hair tied back in a bun appeared holding a notebook with their names on it when they arrived at the airport.
"I'm Izzy Corbin," she said. "Let's get your stuff in the car."
Blake and Bridges followed out to her Ford Focus.
"Don't let her looks fool you," she said once they were in with Blake in the back seat. "She is fully sound-proof and signal-proof. We can talk freely here."
"Okay," Blake said. "What is going on with Spencer Reid and what am I doing out here?"
"Reid is being poisoned into thinking he has schizophrenia by members of his team who are being blackmailed and had family members threatened with abuse," Bridges said.
Blake stared her. "Seriously?"
"The lead doctor grew suspicious of the diagnosis and contacted my services. The team recommended you as an option for assistance as we pursue leads."
"Of course, you have my help, like I said in that encrypted email," Blake said. "So, what are we doing out here?"
"According to what Fenton sent in her message," Corbin said. "This person has had video of Spencer bounced around the globe. I redirected a satellite over it and found a large light signature where there shouldn't be one in the park."
Bridges stared at her. "How exactly do you know Fenton?"
"I retired from the NSA with a full pension. As one of the first women to work there, I kept my head down, worked hard, and knew when I could break the rules without being noticed."
"Why Montana?" Blake asked.
"I met a man, ended up dumping the man, and fell in love with the land," she said. "You'd be amazed at what you can do now remotely."
"A nice view is far better than any man," Bridges said.
"So how far away is this place?" Blake asked.
"Get to bed as soon as we get to my place and if you get up early, we should be there by Sunday afternoon."
"You up for all that hiking?" Bridges asked.
"Yes," Blake said. "Some place that remote though, I'm worried about traps."
"That's why I'm here," Corbin said. "I've packed every weapon we could ever need."
"What if something goes south?" Blake said.
"Then we get the park rangers," she said. "I've got radio set up too."
"We're going to be fine Blake," Bridges said.
"I hope so," she said looking out the window. They were already driving by nothing but wilderness.
…
"A game is being played," Reid muttered. "A game I don't know the rules to. How do I win a game I don't know the rules to?"
"Life is not a game, Spencer," Jameson said.
"It is here," he said. "There are other players. Other nameless players. I don't know how to win against an unknown player. I don't know anything."
"Spencer," he said slowly. "No game is being played here. I promise."
"I'm the doctor in chess and Spalding is my queen. I'll help Spalding win, even if I lose."
"Okay, Spencer," Jameson said. "I think we're going to keep the meds where they are for now and see how you are Monday."
"Everything is a game," he muttered as he left.
Jameson dialed Fenton Spalding Bridges.
"Hi," he said. "This is Connor Jameson. Put me through to Sophia Spalding now."
Two minutes later, Spalding came on the line.
"How can I help you Dr. Jameson?"
"You've seen my patient with my knowledge or consent," he stated.
"Your patient is not getting the treatment he needs because a group of psychopaths are controlling the environment. I am a psychologist and I provided the insight he needed to maintain some semblance of sanity."
"He thinks this is a game, how is that a form of sanity?" Jameson asked furiously.
"Because this is a game of cat and mouse with a group of evil individuals. Knowing that some of his episodes aren't entirely his fault lightens the burden. It makes him less lonely."
"Why didn't you consult me on this?"
"I knew you wouldn't approve," she said. "I'm glad you called though. I have been planning contingencies and you need to be ready. Consult with the treatment team and spend Sunday there and take a weekday off."
"Are you going to tell me why?" he asked.
"No," she said. "I'll be touch later. Goodbye."
Jameson hung up feeling as though he had more questions than answers.
…
"How are you feeling Blake?" Bridges asked.
"Like I never want to hike again," she moaned.
"We're almost there," Corbin said.
"Wait," Blake said. "This is the edge of a cliff."
"Which is why I brought climbing gear," Corbin said.
Blake cautiously peered over the edge. She could see a cabin in the distance next to a creek.
"I'll keep watch from here," Corbin said. "You two will go down."
"Okay," Bridges said. "You aren't by any chance afraid of heights, are you?"
"What I'm afraid of is how loud I'll scream if we find nothing down there and end up alerting a grizzly," Blake said.
"You're funny," Bridges said.
"If you don't start climbing back after an hour, I'll call the rangers," Corbin said. "So, keep an eye on the time and watch for traps like I instructed."
"Got it," Bridges said.
"Let's go," Blake said.
They carefully climbed down the mountain. Mindful of traps of all kinds, they slowly walked to the cabin. With their hands on their guns, Bridges knocked.
The door slowly opened and a man on crutches appeared. He appeared to be in his early sixties with his gray hair neatly trimmed. The man smiled.
"You ladies lost?" he asked in a charming tone.
"No," Bridges said. "We're looking for you. I'm Samantha Groves and I work for the government with Miss Alice Jane. We found your light signature on a map and have come to investigate."
"Interesting," he said. "I wonder if this will clear things up."
He turned around and pulled out a revolver. Blake and Bridges already had their guns out. Bridges blasted his head off. They quickly stepped over the body entered the main area of the cabin.
"This is the smoking gun," Bridges said taking photos with her camera.
There was detailed photos and written descriptions of every team member along with family, in addition to Morgan and Hotch, lining the walls. In the center was a set of three computers. One was watching Reid's room in the hospital, the other monitored the activities of the team.
"Okay," Blake said. "We knew they were watching. Who was that guy and why is he doing this?"
Bridges pulled up a pillow revealing a paper journal. She tossed it to her. Blake read out loud:
"The FBI is the scum of the earth. They think they can get away with anything, including the murder of US citizens. We will not tolerate it anymore. We will get justice for the dead and wrongfully imprisoned. We are the Patriots of the New Revolution. They have used torture against us for too long. It is time to turn the tables and show them what real torture is. We are the future of America and we will destroy the feds."
Blake shut it.
"I'm taking this with me," she said.
"And I'm cracking the hard drive," Bridges said as she pulled out a USB device.
She plugged it into the computer and suddenly screamed.
Bridges was air-born two feet away from Blake. She rushed to the woman's side. Maria Bridges was already dead.
Fearing more traps, Blake ran out of the cabin while holding the journal. There were more explosions as she ran. Her heart ached over the fate of Bridges. She vowed to keep fighting on for her.
"ALEX!"
Blake looked up head and followed the sound. There was rope at the base. She shakily clipped on and was hoisted up.
"Maria is dead," Blake said.
"I called the rangers," Corbin said. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she said impatiently. "We need to call a code ignis."
Corbin sent the message.
