Chapter 36

Garcia, her heels clicking on the tile floor, found herself running in the direction of her office after leaving the elevator. She only hoped Rossi checked his phone and listened to the voice mail she had left after leaving the hospital, and would be waiting for her. She hated to add to his problems, but she was unable to shake the feeling something was wrong. And if the person who called Hotch was the UnSub they were seeking, it was imperative that she tell the team. Hotch's safety and very life depended on them finding this guy. The entire time she had rode the elevator to the sixth floor, she couldn't stop thinking of Hotch, the phone call, and what happened.

(Flashback):

Garcia stood for a few minutes just staring at the face of her sleeping boss. A small smile appeared thinking how peaceful he looked. In fact, if it wasn't for the bruises, he might have been sleeping without a care in the world. Stepping closer, she moved a few wisps of dark hair off his forehead, then stroked his hair. With a sigh, she gathered her laptop, and placed the envelope containing her note to her boss on the portable tray where he would find it. She bent over, and kissed his forehead gently. She giggled, licked her thumb, and gently wiped away the lipstick mark she had left. Hotch would be so embarrassed to see a lipstick mark on his forehead.

"I'm not sure if you can hear me, but sleep well, my liege. Everything will be all right," she said softly. "I will find this Agent Scanlon, and sic Agent Rossi on 'im. Or better yet, sic my chocolate Adonis on 'im. I would prefer to ruin his credit, freeze his bank accounts, and then ruin his life. But that would make you mad, and I don't want to do that. Not after what you've been through, sir. So, I guess I'll have to settle for having someone paying 'im a visit. But he will rue the day he upset you, Boss-man. Of that you can be assured."

She turned and left his room, stopping long enough in the doorway to look back at Hotch one last time before she left. The best that Garcia could hope for right now, was that Hotch would be all right when he woke up in the morning. That plus finding out what it was about Hotch's phone call which troubled her so much. Something just wasn't right she sensed.

(End of Flashback)

Carson Scanlon paced nervously back and forth in his small apartment, rubbing the back of his neck and mumbling to himself. He had screwed up big time.

"Jason's gonna kill me," he said openly, scared. "I just know he is. I screwed up so bad" He exhaled. "I didn't expect that bitch to get on the phone. Why was she even there? Oh man…" He shook his head. "Jason's gonna kill me." He suddenly stopped pacing as a thought occurred to him, followed by a weak smile. An idea had come to him and hoped he'd be able to convince Jason who didn't accept failure of any kind. And if Jason buys what I'm sellin, then I'll be home-free.

Rossi rapped on the door of Penelope's office, and without waiting for a response, opened the door and walked into the office. Garcia, who had been busy typing, spun around in her chair to face the older man.

"Sorry I'm late, kitten," Rossi said with a tired look on his face. "I had to take care of something. Your voice mail didn't tell me much except that you were visiting Hotch when he got a phone call and became upset. What happened?"

"Hotch's phone call was from an Agent Carson Scanlon who claimed to be from Child Protective Services. I have no idea what was discussed, but whatever he told Boss-man really upset him. And even without the complete story, I sensed it had to do with our mini-Hotch." She struggled to rein in her rampaging emotions. "I'm sorry, sir."

"For what?"

"I didn't do anything to stop Hotch from answering that phone call. And he became upset and had to be sedated when he was doing so well."

Rossi let out a deep breath and ran a hand over his graying hair. How much more can his best friend take? How much more can they all take? He eyed the tech analyst with compassion.

"It's all right, Penelope. It wasn't your fault. I was hoping to keep this info from Hotch, but now that choice is shot to hell. How was he after the phone call?"

Garcia shrugged. "I guess he'll be all right, sir. I mean, the phone call upset him so much that he had to be sedated. But the doctor told me my liege cannot keep getting stressed out like this or they might ban all visitors from his room, and remove the phone as well. Sir, what are we gonna do? Somebody's out there trying to destroy Boss-man, and we haven't been able to find him. Why can't we find him?!" Rossi could tell Penelope was becoming emotional.

He gripped her shoulder and squeezed it, causing her to smile as her hand patted the one on her shoulder. "We'll get 'im, kitten, don't you worry about that. We won't let him destroy Aaron." That was when his eyes saw the computer screen and the picture on it. "What's this?"

Once she got herself back under control, Garcia spun around again, and faced her computer screen. "That's the other thing I needed to tell you. After Hotch got so upset from the phone call, I took the phone from him and tried to get a little 911 from this guy. Instead, the son-of-a-bitch hung up the phone. But something didn't sit right with me. So, being the goddess of all things technical, I decided to hack into CPS's computers and see if there was a report filed that involved Hotch."

"And did you?"

"There is a report filed against Hotch alleging child sexual abuse of one Jack Hotchner, age five."

Rossi leaned forward resting one hand on the back of her chair, the other resting face down on the table. Anger flashed across his face for a moment. "I have somebody helping Jessica with this, and we should be able to convince them that Hotch is being set up by somebody out to get revenge. Who's handling the case?"

"One Camille Marco and a James Carlton."

Rossi appeared puzzled. "Not this Carson Scanlon? I mean, you did say he called Hotch. Why would he call Hotch if he's not handling the case?" he asked with knitted eyebrows. He was beginning to see why Penelope was troubled. "Is he with local CPS?"

"That, my Italian love god, is where things become el weirdo. There is no record of anyone with that name working in CPS here or anywhere else. But I did…." She typed again pulling up a photo. "…and may I have a drumroll please…find a rap sheet on our Mr. Scanlon. Seems he's been in and out of prisons most of his life. When he was sixteen, someone killed his father after rumors circulated that the man was sexually abusing kids in his own neighborhood. Creep. But nothing could ever be proven that Carson was the one who killed him after his own abuse at the hands of his father had been proven. Seems one of the neighbors whose son had also been abused, was arrested for the shooting and is now serving a life sentence still maintaining his innocence. But it was what our Mister Scanlon was arrested for last time that caught my eye. Seems he orchestrated a scam in which he went to homes of people being investigated by CPS, claiming he was an agent. Showed a badge and everything. Anyway, he promised these families he'd make their problems go away if they each paid him a sum of money."

"And did they?"

Garcia looked up at him. "To the sum of one hundred thousand dollars."

"How'd he get found out?"

"Turns out one of the families he swindled had their kids removed after paying Scanlon to make the charges go away so to speak. They ended up calling the cops after their kids were taken away. Claimed they'd been fleeced."

Rossi hung his head and shook it sadly. "When he'd get out?"

"About a month ago. But here's the biggie. The bureau got involved at the behest of the locals, but not the BAU. But you'll never guess who the agent was who arrested him." She looked up at Rossi over her shoulder. The agent looked down at her.

"Jason Hemminger?"

"Give this man a big Cuban cigar and a hearty well done," she replied turning back to her screen. "Seems our Agent Hemminger had been in the Bureau only a short time and took part in the take-down once Scanlon was located. He made the arrest when Scanlon tried to escape after being cornered in an abandoned building."

"And I bet this Carson Scanlon is up to his old tricks with the phony CPS badge," Rossi stated. He straightened his posture. "Send his home address to my phone, Garcia, and good work."

"You should check your phone, oh acting leader of mine. I sent it before you got here. And thank you." She saw Rossi smile at her. "Sir, what are we gonna do about Hotch? After what's happened to him, if he loses Jack it'll destroy him."

"He's not gonna lose Jack. I promise."

Garcia smiled weakly, but her eyes belied her true feelings. "I know that, sir. It's just…I always try to see the good in people. And for somebody to go to such lengths…" Her lower lip quivered.

"understand you're worried about Aaron, Penelope. We're all worried about him. I'll stop by the hospital on the way into the office tomorrow and talk to him. He'll be all right."

Garcia smiled. "I believe Boss-man wants to talk with you, too, sir."

"What makes you say that?"

"I showed Hotch the video."

"And…?"

"And he told me he had kinda already decided what you had told him was true. And he isn't angry with you. He never was. But you better than anyone understands how Mon Capitan is, sir."

"Yes I do, Penelope. I knew he would be upset when I told him, but it wouldn't have been right to keep the truth from him. But I promise you Hotch will be all right."

"I believe you, sir."

Minutes later, Rossi had returned to the BAU to find the rest of his team seated at their desks. JJ though, was seated on the edge of Reid's desk, and four of them were holding a conversation. They all turned toward Rossi as he came closer. Seeing the expression on his face, Prentiss spoke up for the others.

"What's up, Rossi?" she asked, dark eyes flashing. "Is CPS really trying to take Jack from Hotch on some bogus accusation?"

Rossi proceeded to explain what had transpired during Garcia's visit with their boss, the phone call, and what happened afterward. Anger showed on their faces showing they all felt the same as him. He crossed his arms.

Morgan shook his head and snorted. "Sounds like this bastard is out to destroy Hotch in every way possible."

Emily folded her arms across her chest. Her face belied her feelings. "C'mon, Derek, we all know who the bastard is here," she said sarcastically. "We all know its Jason Hemminger. He has the motive and he hates Hotch. And even though his DNA doesn't match what was found on and in Hotch, doesn't mean he didn't at least help our UnSub drug and kidnap him."

"And don't forget Hemminger posed as Hotch when the car used in the kidnapping was bought," JJ added.

Morgan sighed and crossed his arms. "I agree Hemminger has the motive and he hates Hotch. And he bought the car used outside the bar when Hotch was drugged. But why hasn't he killed Hotch? If that's his endgame, then why hasn't he killed him? I mean, he had ample opportunity to kill him. Why go through all this if you're gonna kill the person?"

"Maybe he wants to Hotch to suffer before he kills him," JJ interjected glancing at their youngest member who, until now, stayed silent.

Something about this entire situation troubled Red. If he could just figure out what his inner voice was trying to tell him. He narrowed his eyes while lost deep in thought and probably oblivious to what the others were discussing.

"That may be true," Rossi agreed. "But I can't see our UnSub allowing Hemminger to move in on who he's chosen as his target. We profiled this guy as basically a loner. I can see Caswell possibly working with our UnSub only because Caswell can make it easier to get access to Hotch. But how does Hemminger fit into the equation?"

"That's it," Reid suddenly announced looking at the others.

"That's what?" asked Morgan.

"What Rossi just said," Reid explained.

"I said a lot of things," Rossi explained. "Care to elaborate?"

The minute Reid began to babble, Morgan rolled his eyes. "Focus, Pretty Boy. Boss-man'll be back at work before you get to the point."

"Sorry. What Rossi said about the rapist not allowing someone else to move in on who he's chosen as his next target," Reid explained excitedly gesturing excitedly with his hands. "Now hear me out. What if….what if the rapist is allowing Hemminger to do what he wants to get his own revenge on Hotch?"

"What do you mean?" asked a puzzled Prentiss eying the young genius.

"What I'm saying is that the UnSub is allowing Hemminger to get his revenge."

"Why would he do that?" asked an unbelieving Morgan.

"Because Hemminger agreed not to kill Hotch before the UnSub gains access to him again."

"How do you know that, kid?" Morgan inquired.

Rossi considered what he was hearing. "And why would he even care what Hemminger wants, or his hatred of Aaron? What could Hemminger have to offer the UnSub?"

Reid looked up at the older profiler. "Inside information." He saw the others exchange looks as if a bright light appeared in front of them.

"Off course," Rossi stated as the realization came to him. "We've been looking at this the wrong way. Suppose, just suppose, our UnSub was working with Wheaton at first because Wheaton could get him close to Hotch. Wheaton is later arrested and with Hotch being in the hospital, and the rapist wanting to get at him again, he needs help to get close to Aaron again. He finds himself somebody we wouldn't suspect, possibly Hotch's former doctor to help him gain access to Aaron's room. But he then finds out about Hemminger's grudge against Hotch, and decides to let him have his revenge as long as he doesn't kill Aaron. But to allow Hemminger to have his revenge, he insists he be given inside information of the investigation and on Hotch."

"That confirms what Hotch suspects," Prentiss added. "As an agent, he would be privy to certain things the regular public wouldn't be."

The others considered what had been said as they exchanged looks.

"It makes sense when you think about it," Emily tossed a strand of hair over her shoulder. "But from what Reid and I got from our interview with Hemminger, he struck us as someone who would want Hotch dead, but preferably by somebody else's hand."

"And if that's the case," Morgan picked it up from there. "Then the UnSub must have promised Hemminger something else."

"But what?" asked JJ. "I mean I would have to be promised something big in order to help someone do what our UnSub wants to do to Hotch."

"Maybe…." Reid leaned back in his chair, crossed his long legs, and pyramided his fingers with elbows on the arms of his chair. "He promised Hemminger he could torture Hotch as long as he doesn't kill him until he attacked him one last time. Then, and only then, he promised Hemminger he could kill Hotch himself and have his final revenge."

"So what you're saying is that we have three UnSubs after Hotch," Morgan began slowly. "Two of the three wanting to hurt Hotch. But one of the trio, although working with the other two, is allowed to carry out his own agenda."

"That's got to be a first," Prentiss admitted. "Three UnSubs after one person. What are the possibilities of that happening?"

Reid looked at the brunette and chuckled. "When Gideon was here we had a case with two serial killers competing with each other."(1)

"Rossi, what about the guy pretending to be with CPS who called Hotch?" asked Morgan.

"After I left Penelope's office I made a phone call to Detective Moeller and informed him about Mr. Scanlon," Rossi explained. "He's sending some men to go pick him up and bring him in for questioning. Seems that Hemminger has a connection with Mr. Scanlon."

"What connection?"

"Hemminger arrested Scanlon when he'd been with the bureau for several months," Rossi explained.

"That shows the two at least know each other," Morgan pointed out. You think he has something on Scanlon?" he asked looking at the older profiler.

Rossi shrugged. "No idea. But if he does, he has something on the man which could explain how he got Scanlon to call Hotch."

"Any idea what that might be?" asked Reid.

"I have an idea. I asked Garcia to check into it for me. But if it's what I suspect, we might be able to use it and get him to roll on Hemminger."

"Then we should have my Baby Girl check out this Scanlon also," Morgan stated, reaching for his cell. "She can find anything on anybody."

"Exactly," Rossi explained with a smirk. "That's why I also asked her to dig into his personal life, and try to find anything she can to break him."

(1)The Last Word is from Season 2.