"I started by looking for evidence that Gideon had made a deal with the CIA to release Reid to work for the BAU," Garcia began her report. "Now, after Gideon left, all of his files were archived on another server and it took me a little time to locate them. And, at first, I couldn't find anything pertaining to Reid and/or the CIA. Then, I started thinking about Gideon and what I knew about him as a person."
"As you all know, he was quite a bird watcher," she continued. "And he was immensely proud of his 'Life List'. So, it would only be natural that he would keep a copy of it on his work computer. Once I started examining it, I noticed two listings with attached files – One for a Russian Warbler and another for a Common Cuckoo."
"One for Reid and one for The Colonel," Rossi immediately guessed.
"I'm a warbler?" Reid complained.
"Better than being a cuckoo," Morgan smirked.
"You are all right about that My Favorite Italian, My Favorite Genius, and My Hot Chocolate Delight," Garcia cheered. "And, when I opened the attached files I found all the documentation your little hearts could desire concerning the CIA's relinquishing their claim on Reid – Notes, memos, you name it. There was also some dirt on The Colonel which I, of course, never saw but which probably explains why he released Reid. I sent copies to your computer, Sir, and I also sent copies to Chief Cruz. Let them try to take 187 away from us now!"
"Good work Garcia," Hotch praised the tech. "I'll be checking those files just as soon as I'm able to get secure access to them."
"Now," he continued. "What have you found on The Friendly Far East Trading Company?"
"I have found that they are suspected of a variety of things," Garcia announced. "Including, but not limited to, suspected illegal offshore banking activities, possible sale of illegally obtained intelligence information, smuggling of restricted electronic components and, of course, everyone's favorite, trafficking in illegal drugs. From what I can tell, it would appear that the CIA, as well as Homeland Security and the DOD, is keeping an eye on them and on the Brodsky family."
"Sounds like it's getting a little crowded around there," Rossi observed.
"How can anyone be sure that they are spying on members of the family and not on each other?" Victor asked curiously.
"Good point," Morgan replied. "And, the short answer is – They can't. It is entirely possible that they are wasting their time spying on each other."
"Is there anything that specifically ties them to Reid's experience with the CIA?" Blake asked.
"Well, I did find one distinct possibility," Garcia reported. "As Reid suspected, at around the time he was recruited military intelligence was being leaked with said intelligence turning up overseas, in Russia to be exact. And, it seems that each appearance of newly acquired information roughly coincided with a flight into Moscow by the plane Reid was assigned to work on. So, the CIA decided to investigate."
"Garcia," Hotch interrupted her. "Did you ever get into that file on the Op that The Colonel recruited Reid for?"
"Well – I just may have – accidentally – accessed some protected files," Garcia replied circumspectly. "And, they just may have been on another computer system for another government agency."
"We understand, Garcia," Rossi spoke up. "So, we can assume that this information you are passing on is what The Colonel has sealed up in that file?"
Victor's cell phone rang and, after checking the screen, he walked over to the far side of the restaurant to answer it.
"Based on what I have found, that would be my assumption," was Garcia's reply. "It would appear that – "
"Hey, Guys," Victor called out as he walked back over to the group. "That call was from Steph on her disposable cell phone. She wanted me to tell you, and I quote, 'The show is over and they seemed to be awfully interested in locating Dr. Reid', unquote."
"I would assume that means that the goon squad is back on the prowl," Morgan guessed.
"We probably should keep an eye out for them," JJ suggested. "Just in case they cruise by here and decide to drop in."
"If they do find us, we probably need to keep Reid out of sight while Hotch sets The Colonel straight on who is entitled to his services," Blake agreed as she looked around the restaurant.
"Reid?" she called out as she realized she couldn't see her fellow agent. "Does anyone know where Reid is?"