Emily and Amanda sat in the back of the car as their driver raced towards Orly Airport in the south of Paris. They had waited as late as possible before leaving the Agency office in the city centre. Other than her caftan and purchases, Amanda had not taken any of her belongings from the embassy. With a bit of luck, she could ask to have them sent once she was securely back home. For the moment, it was much more important that as few people as possible find out she was leaving.
As the car slowed at the gates, Chris lurched out and launched himself onto the hood of the car. Amanda gasped realising that her makeshift assistant was seriously hurt. As she reached for the handle to open the car door, the driver deliberately locked all the doors. "I'm sorry ma'am, but until we reach the plane, it is not safe for you to emerge. I'll drive slowly until we can get him some help without endangering you." Amanda nodded and sat back as the gates opened and the car crawled through, the bloodied body shuddering on the hood.
When they reached the runway, the driver deliberately circled round so that the car would shield Amanda as much as possible. Within a few moments, Aaron and David appeared at the top of the stairs. Seeing the spectacle before them, they quickly freed their side arms and made their way down the stairs. Handcuffing Chris before they even checked for a pulse, it was several minutes before they were satisfied that he posed no threat. Walking around the car, Aaron opened the door and offered Emily and then Amanda a hand out. Amanda quickly made the introductions and explained that Emily would be travelling with them.
"How is he?" Amanda asked, looking down at Chris.
"Someone did a job on him. The question is, who?"
"I'm afraid that's a question he won't be answering any time soon."
"Agreed." Rossi said, considering the body before him. He'd subjected Chris to a thorough search and now looked to Amanda. "What should we do with him?" Amanda sighed and looked up at the plane.
"Looks like it'll be a crowded flight!"
"Uh-huh." Nodding to the driver, Rossi stepped back to let the bigger man lift Chris and carry him, fireman style, on-board. "There's a holding cell at the back of the plane. He'll be fine there for now."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Amanda was finally able to relax on the flight back. The BAU team travelled in comfort and they did their best to make their guests feel welcome. Getting immediately down to business, they discussed Amanda's case and what they knew so far. Within an hour though, Amanda was yawning. "Why don't you get some sleep? There's plenty of room over there." Jason Giddeon pointed to a cream leather sofa near the front of the plane. "I'll get you a blanket and a pillow."
"Thank you, that would be lovely. I need to check on Chris first though." Amanda said, getting to her feet. She'd long since kicked off her heels and padded silently towards the back bunk that they had converted into a makeshift holding cell and infirmary. Chris was badly hurt. His right hand was mangled beyond recognition and he was covered with cuts and bruises. His left wrist was handcuffed to the fuselage.
Hearing her approach, he slitted open one puffy eye.
"It's not what you think." He told her quietly.
"What do you think I think?" Amanda challenged. She still thought it was unbelievable that she'd been so wrong about him.
"I'm not with them. My sister was one of the SunChild beneficiaries. She disappeared six years ago."
"What?" Amanda gasped.
"My sister, she is one of the trafficked children. I swore to my parents I would find her and that's what I've been trying to do for the last six years."
"Oh?" With his face so battered, it was almost impossible to make out his expressions.
"It's true. I can prove it when we get to Washington."
"I hope so, for your sake." Amanda said before adjusting his blanket and retreating to the front of the plane. How many of these lost SunChildren are there? She wondered. If Chris was trying to bring down the ring, then how was Judge Harris involved?