Chapter 24
US Capitol building
West Lawn
Washington DC
July 4th, 2012
This 4th was Mia's first big holiday. It also happened to be one of Grandpa Dave's favorites. Put those two facts together and it promised to be a blow out day. Given the security in the city Spencer's only concern was Shannon being overwhelmed by it all. "I'm a big girl." She replied. "I'm not going to hide in my room on Mia's first holiday."
So they went for it. They started with a big breakfast at his favorite diner, then met Hotch and Jack, JJ, Will and Henry, and of course Grandpa Dave at the Hoover Building. Spencer had never been before, but it was traditional for all the agents with kids to meet there and invade the offices that faced Pennsylvania Avenue. It was prime viewing space for the parade.
After that they retreated to Grandpa Dave's house for the traditional "family" barbeque and pool dunking. Mia didn't know how to swim, but Uncle Derek took her under his wing and gave her her first few lessons. She proved to be fearless in the water, and was soon paddling after Jack and Henry like a natural. She also proved to love hamburgers and all the other traditional fixings of the day.
After a well-stuffed late lunch/early supper and naps for all of the kids (and a couple of adults) Grandpa Dave pulled out all the stops. While the Capitol concert and fireworks display was open to the public, there was some reserved seating, and he had a block of tickets. "A couple of guys in my cigar club are two-stars." He said. "They heard it was someone's first fourth and..." They didn't ask, they went.
And the thrill of it went on. The kids had to have glowing neck bands, and pinwheels, and someone had to have a red, white and blue tiara, and that was not the end of it. "Who wants ice cream?" Grandpa Dave asked.
"You know you're spoiling them rotten." Hotch said.
"I'm a grandpa." Dave said. "It's a holiday, that's my job. Who wants ice cream? Come on, we'll bring some back for your folks." He herded up the three kids and headed off for the nearest concessions tent.
Once there they ran in to another of his friends. "Hey Dave," the General said. He was resplendent in his formal uniform. All three kids stopped and started at him, wide eyes. "I didn't know you had grandkids."
"But of course." Dave replied with a grin. "They're actually my teammates' children. This is Jack, Henry and Mia." Mia suddenly clutched at him, "Who's a little shy. It's her first 4th, her mother has been working out of the country."
"Ohhhh. Are you enjoying it so far?" Mia had been looking behind them, now she turned her head and nodded, but her eyes were wide and afraid, and she turned to look back. "Aww, she is shy. That's all right."
They chatted for a few more moments, then the general moved off. But Mia still clung to Dave. "It's okay, sweetie." Dave said. "He's a friend. He wouldn't hurt you."
Mia looked up and shook her head. "I saw one of the men who came to our house." She said.
"Your house here?" Did Reid have anyone over who wasn't team?
She shook her head again. "No, back in Rome."
Uh oh. This was not good news. Dave turned to look that way. "Where did you see him?"
"Back by those trees," she pointed off in the direction of the summer house.
There were too many people and the light was failing. "Hey, boys." Dave called to Jack and Henry, "Stick close, okay." He went down on one knee and gave Mia a hug. "Don't worry sweetie, with your Dad and your family around nothing bad is going to happen. Now let's get some ice cream and go watch the fireworks."
But when he got back he mentioned it to Hotch and the others. "You might think about increasing protection when you go back to work." Hotch said to Spencer quietly. "We can assign a second agent until Maupin is caught."
Spencer thought through what he remembered about Bernard Maupin, going over those memories with the eye of a profiler. "Good idea."
"We'll set it up."
But tonight there were fireworks to enjoy.
BAU Headquarters
FBI Building
Quantico, VA
July 9th, 2012
The one thing Spencer had asked was to stay behind for one week, just in case Shan and Mia needed him.
But by the time 2 in the afternoon rolled around they seemed to be fine. They'd spent a quiet morning working on something for Mia's room, he had no idea what, and then around noon they headed for Sidwell School, where Mia had afternoon summer camp. As today was Monday Shan was due to head to therapy and the gym before picking Mia up and heading home to cook dinner. And everything seemed fine.
He should have known. He was working on consults in the conference room when he heard Morgan shout. "Hotch! Reid!"
Well, that wanted his attention.
He came out on the catwalk at the same time that Hotch left his office, only to feel his blood run cold.
The TV was tuned to a new station. There was a breaking news segment going, the announcer far too calm for what they were seeing, what he was saying. "...gunmen have taken hostages at Sidwell School..."