"DC police just called Boone, they've tracked the suspect vehicle from the beltway, headed back into the city," Hotchner told Rossi, who was at the wheel of their SUV. He's got his agents on it, but said we were welcome to come along for the capture.
"Boone and I go way back, Aaron. Nice of Charles to let us in on this one," he swung the wheel around to join the pursuit. Hotchner's phone rang again. Rossi wheeled carefully through traffic, listening on the radio to the officers involved in the pursuit. After several miles, he caught up to where the police were actively following the green SUV through the city's downtown core.
"There it is," Rossi announced. The suspect vehicle was a couple blocks ahead of them, with four other police vehicles behind it. He concentrated on staying behind but keeping them in sight and glanced over at Hotch, speaking in low tones on the phone.
Hotchner closed his phone and sighed. Rossi continued weaving around the city traffic, trying to maintain sight of the suspect vehicle ahead of them but not wanting to draw attention to their own car.
"What is it, Aaron?"
"Cruz." He let out a deep breath.
"What did he want?"
"Apparently our senior management wasn't happy that the BAU was called in for this case. They feel the FBI K&MP unit could have handled this with their own UCs and agents. They don't think these simple thieves needed profiling. And they're not happy that Reid was injured in the process."
"That could've happened to any one of us, Aaron. Reid may have saved that baby's life. He certainly prevented the sale. You made all the right calls."
"I did, Dave. I called Cruz earlier. He was just getting back to me. They called me as soon as word came down Reid was hurt. I called Cruz, and he spoke to them. Explained that we got involved because of JJ. And her friend. Not sure what Cruz said to them and I don't care. Point is, he went to bat for us and smoothed everything over."
Rossi nodded acknowledgement. And Hotchner finished "I just hope everything's smoothed over for Loker and Reid too."
A smile forced its way onto Hotchner's face for just the briefest instant as he thought about Reid's expected recovery. His attention returned to their case. He counted at least four unmarkeds near their vehicle and Rossi had slowed down to stay out of the way of the pursuit. A few minutes later, he spotted them following the unsub vehicle into the parking lot of an office building. He checked his watch, it was after 11 pm. Shutting down the lights he pulled the car over and waited.
The unsub couple left their vehicle. Hotchner twitched as he realised the woman was carrying a baby. They entered the building. Agents were taking up position all around the building. Hotchner quickly spoke to Boone.
"They have a baby with them. They're making an exchange. If we wait, we can apprehend the buyers too!"
"Affirmative," the coordinator responded, and instantly directed his forces to wait.
Shortly, a high end SUV entered the parking lot and pulled into a spot right by the door. A well dressed and obviously well to do couple entered the building. The agents waited for the transaction to occur and once it did, they swooped in and arrested everyone without incident. Rossi and Hotchner attended and took the child. Tossing the keys to Hotchner, Rossi carried the baby back to their vehicle.
"Don't you worry now, little girl. We will get you back to your mommy and daddy soon," he cooed. Hotchner suppressed a smile although Rossi's sentiment echoed his own completely. And he pulled out his cellphone to call Morgan again while Rossi secured the child in her seat, in their SUV.
"They've taken Nancy Redding— real name Nancy Everett— and her accomplice who's her husband into custody. We've also recovered another baby, Morgan. A little girl with the bluest eyes and the blondest hair. On our way to the hospital with her, see what Garcia can find out about the Everetts."
"Andrew Everett," Garcia announced, clicking a few keys on her laptop and showing Morgan the resulting picture. "He and his wife, Nancy have been in and out of jail all their lives. Petty thieves, burglaries, bank robberies. Wow, they graduated. Bigger money in online sales. And we're not talking eBay." She shook her head in disgust and let Morgan read the lengthy rap sheets on both of them. "How did she ever get a job in sales?" she asked in the most sarcastic tone she could muster.