Chapter 54
Hotch smiled with satisfaction as he hung up the phone. He had spoken with the prosecutor who would be handling the case who happened to not only be a friend, but owed him a favor. And it was time to call in that favor. The only thing left to do today was to speak with his son about Alana staying with them temporarily. And try as he did, he couldn't shake the worry as to what would happen to the little girl if he couldn't get the charges against Darryl reduced. And especially if neither the late wife's surviving sister or brother wouldn't take her. The other worry was how Jack would react to having Alana stay with them, especially as she wouldn't stay for long. He feared how Jack would react when the little girl left their home. He stared at the phone wishing Garcia would call with news about something...anything.
Several times he had been tempted to call the tech analyst but stopped himself. If Garcia had anything she would tell Morgan who would then call him. Never having been a patient man, Hotch was tempted to call Morgan himself and demand answers. But Garcia wouldn't contact Morgan unless she had something to report. So he was forced to curb his impatience and wait. He glanced at the wall clock, and noticed it was too early for Jessica to pick Jack up from school, and he had nothing else to do right now. So he turned his head toward the window trying to take his mind off his worries when his phone rang. He ignored the pain in his injured arm brought on by the sudden shift of his body. He reached out, grabbed the receiver, and placed it against his ear.
"Hotchner. Morgan, what did Garcia find? Can either Alana's aunt or uncle take her if her father goes to prison?"
As the agent listened closely, a frown appeared. "So the sister doesn't want the responsibility of caring for her niece, and the brother can't handle the financial burden. Is that what you're telling me? No, no. I'm not angry at you. I'm sure Garcia tried her best. I'm disappointed is all. I was hoping that…never mind. Tell Penelope I said thanks for trying. I will. Goodbye." Hotch sighed as he hung up the receiver, and ran his good hand down his face. He made a promise to himself to buy Garcia a dozen red roses for everything she's done.
He let the back of his head hit the pillow and stared at the ceiling tiles. He remembered Rossi would stop by for a visit in the evening, and he also had to call Jack later to talk with him. But until then, all he could do was get some rest, so he closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him.
Back at the BAU, Rossi, Prentiss, Reid and Morgan all met in the conference room. Only JJ was absent as she was still at the hospital keeping Alana company.
Rossi folded his hands on top of the round table. He looked around at the others, finally focusing on Morgan.
"Derek, did Garcia find anything on Alana's aunt and uncle? I know Aaron is worried."
Morgan was slouched in his chair playing with his pencil. "Baby Girl contacted both the aunt and the uncle. No dice with either one. I already spoke with Hotch and told him about it, and uh…I could tell it really bothered him."
"I don't doubt it. He was hoping at least one of them would take her in case her father went away for awhile. Alana's gonna be staying with him and Jack until Wheaton's case is decided. He was hoping to find a more permanent solution if Darryl's sent away for a long time."
Morgan glanced at Prentiss and Reid, then his eyes narrowed as he stared at the older man. "Rossi, you keep sayin' if Wheaton goes away for a long time. What makes you think he won't?"
Rossi realized Morgan wasn't going to like what he was about to say. But there was no way around it. He let out a deep breath.
"Derek, tomorrow I need you to come with me when Wheaton is brought to the hospital to see Aaron."
He held up a hand when Morgan started to open his mouth. "I know what you're gonna ask. Why are we taking Wheaton to the hospital to see Aaron? Hotch wants us to bring him. He is also gonna have the prosecutor there as well. Seems that Hotch wants to get a deal in place for Wheaton for reduced charges." That said, Rossi stared at the black man, waiting for the explosion he suspected would be forthcoming.
Morgan slammed a fist down onto the table so hard it shook. He got to his feet, the chair shoved back in anger as he turned his back to the others and ran a hand over his bald head. He turned around after a few minutes and faced the senior agent.
"Is Hotch outta his damn mind?!" he asked with eyes flashing darkly.
Rossi remained calm as he studied the enraged agent. Morgan's reaction didn't surprise him. The black agent always had a short fuse, and didn't try to hide it.
"Morgan, look at it from Hotch's point-of-view…" he said calmly.
"I am lookin' at it, and Hotch is outta his damn mind if he tries to get that bastard off on a lesser charge."
"I don't like what Wheaton did any more than you do, Morgan. But he was in an impossible position. His daughter's life was at stake."
"I understand all that. And don't think I don't understand the position he was in at the time. But the fact remains he assaulted Hotch in the worst way, and needs to pay for what he did."
"It's not your call, Morgan," Rossi added.
Morgan leaned over the table, both fists on the table and staring hard at the Italian. He hadn't calmed any.
"Rossi, I understand Wheaton was under duress. Hell, his daughter's life was at stake and I get that. I do. But that's no reason his ass doesn't belong in prison. He took part in sexually assaulting Hotch. And I still believe he should pay for that!"
"I agree," Rossi told him. "But as I said, it's not your call. It's Hotch's, and we need to respect it whatever decision he makes."
Morgan rubbed the back of his neck and let out a deep breath. "Rossi, Wheaton maybe getting a lesser sentence is wrong on so many levels and you know it."
Rossi shrugged his shoulders. "May be, but fact remains I need you to help me bring Darryl Wheaton to the hospital to see Hotch as soon as visiting hours start tomorrow morning. But if you can't respect Hotch's decision, Derek, I'll ask Emily to come with me instead."
Morgan sighed and sat back down with hands clasped on the table top. "That won't be necessary, I'll go. And whatever decision Hotch makes, I just hope he doesn't regret it."
"So what time does Bossman want us there tomorrow?" asked Prentiss.
"He said for the team to come in the afternoon. So I want you guys to take an hour for lunch tomorrow on time, and afterward we need to leave for the hospital. Hotch wants to talk to us about something he has in mind. And Prentiss, I want you to contact JJ ASAP and tell her the same thing."
"I will. So, Hotch has something in mind?" the brunette asked with arched eyebrows. "Morgan mentioned something about that when Reid and I arrived at the BAU. Do you have any idea what Hotch has in mind?"
"No idea, Emily."
"Is it how we can catch Foyet?" asked Reid quietly.
"I have no idea," the senior agent lied with a straight face.
Morgan's eyes narrowed as he studied the older man. "You know what Hotch wants to talk to us about, don't you?"
"You'll have to ask Hotch," Rossi stated.
"I'm askin' you," Derek said. "C'mon, Rossi. Whatever Hotch has in mind, you don't agree with 'im, do you?"
Rossi sighed. "We'll all find out tomorrow afternoon. So you'll just have to wait until then, my friend. I won't say anything more on the subject. Case closed." He noticed Morgan was gonna pursue the issue, and decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. "Now, speaking of Foyet, has Garcia had any luck as far as finding anything as to where he might be hiding, or who might be helping him?"
Morgan knew Rossi was not only trying to change the topic of discussion, but that they wouldn't get anything further from the man. So he let it drop…for now.
"Nothing yet," he told Rossi grimly. "It's like the bastard disappeared into thin air. There's no property under his name, the parents, or George Foyet."
"Any trace of anybody who might be helping him?" asked Reid.
"Nothing so far, kid. If somebody is, we haven't found 'em yet. But Garcia said she will keep at it even if it takes all night."
It was the continuous ringing sound which caused Hotch to crack open his eyes. At first he thought he had been dreaming, and still was despite his eyes being open. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. But when he opened them again, he still heard the ringing sound. He turned his head and noticed it was the telephone ringing that he was hearing. With his eyebrows knitted, he reached out and grabbed the receiver, pressing it to his ear.
"Hotchner."
"Aaron? It's Jessica."
"Jess, what's wrong? Is Jack all right? Are you? I said I would call later today and speak to Jack."
"It's early evening, Aaron," she said with a chuckle. "And relax. We're both fine. I called you because you wanted to speak with Jack, remember? Besides, he's getting ready to take his bath and go to bed. But he wanted to speak with his daddy before he did."
Hotch let out a deep breath admitting to himself that he had indeed forgotten as he had so many things on his plate at the moment. Also, he couldn't believe he had slept for several hours.
"To be honest, Jess, I did forget. I'm sorry. I can't believe I slept that long. Is he there?"
Jess chuckled. "Yes he is. Hold on and I'll put him on the phone. Jack! Your dad's on the phone! He wants to talk to you!"
Hotch chuckled himself hearing what sounded like the stampede of feet, and then the sound of a phone changing hands.
"Hi, daddy!" said an innocent voice.
Hotch smiled. "Hey, buddy. How are you?"
"Okay."
"Are you being good for Aunt Jess?"
"Yeah." There was a pause. "Daddy, when are you comin' home? I miss you."
"Hopefully I'll be coming home soon." Hotch ran a tongue over his lower lip nervously. "Jack, did Aunt Jess tell you I wanted to discuss something important with you?"
"Yeah."
"Then I want you to listen to me carefully, okay? I have a friend from years ago, who has a little girl around ten years old. Anyway, this friend may be going away for awhile, and his little girl has nowhere to stay, and nobody to care for her."
"Is her mommy an angel like mommy?"
"Yes she is. Anyway, I've decided to let this little girl stay with us for a short time until her father is able to take care of her again. But she won't be staying with us for long, Jack. It'll be only until how long her father might be going away for is decided. How would you feel if she came to stay with us until then?"
"Did a bad man take her mommy, too?"
"No, Jack. Her mother became sick after her little girl was born. She became an angel a short time later. Also, unlike you, her aunt and uncle can't care for her."
"Where would she sleep?"
"She would sleep in the guest bedroom as it's not being used."
"Would Aunt Jess look after her like she does me?"
"Yes she would. Buddy, in no way are you being replaced with me or your aunt. It's just that this little girl has nobody except her father. And right now he's unavailable, so she has nobody to care for or to love her. So I need you to tell me how you feel about her coming to live with us temporarily. I don't want to rush you to decide, but if you say no, then I have to make other arrangements for her before tomorrow morning."
"Why?"
Hotch smiled. Even at his young age, Jack had always asked a lot of questions.
"Remember when Aunt Jess brought you to the hospital to see me?"
"Yeah."
"Well, this little girl is in the same hospital. She's being released tomorrow morning and has no place to go." He let out a deep breath. "So, what is your decision, son?"
"Daddy, you always told me not everybody has what I have. So, I can share you and Aunt Jess with her as she has nobody right now."
"That's a good attitude to have. I'm so proud of you, and your mother is just as proud. I love you so much, buddy."
"I love you too. Daddy, what do I call her?"
"Her name is Alana."
"That's a nice name."
"I agree. Thank you, Jack, for being so understanding. But I just want to be sure you understand she isn't staying with us indefinitely. Once her father is able, she will be going back to live with him. I just don't want you be disappointed or upset when she leaves us. If you will, you need to tell me now. I need to know if you can't accept that."
Jack was quiet for a few seconds as his small brain tried to process what his dad had told him
"Daddy, can I ask a question?"
"Sure buddy. What do you want to ask me?"
"Does her daddy love her like you and Aunt Jess love me?"
"Very much so. He just isn't available to care for her right now. Hopefully he will be soon. But she needs a home and love for the time being. If you should decide against it, she will probably end up in foster care."
Jack didn't understand much about foster care. But what little he did understand led him to believe that despite the good it did, it wasn't a nice place. In his child's mind, Jack couldn't imagine anybody having no place safe to be.
"Then it's okay if she stays with us, daddy. It'll be like havin' a big sister. I can help you love her until her daddy can love her again."
"So does that mean you're okay with her staying with us for awhile?"
"Yeah."
"And what about when she has to leave us permanently?"
"It'll be sad, but she will be with her daddy and be loved like me."
Hotch smiled even though he knew Jack couldn't see him, and blinked to keep the tears at bay. "And I bet you'll be a great help to her, buddy. Now, can you put your Aunt Jess back on the phone?"
"Okay. Bye, daddy. I love you."
"Bye, Jack. And I love you so, so much."
Hotch heard the phone change hands again.
"Aaron, I heard Jack. I'm so proud of him."
"So am I, Jess. I'll see you tomorrow morning when you visit. Then you and I will visit Alana together. I want to introduce you to her."
"I'd like that. She was asleep when I saw her and I didn't want to wake her. Get some sleep, Aaron. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Jess. Sleep well."
Hotch allowed a chuckle to escape his lips. He was so proud of his son. He credited Haley with having done such a great job raising Jack. And that despite all the boy had suffered at his young age, was still a well-adjusted, polite, loving, and considerate child. As young as he was, Jack understood he was more fortunate than a lot of other children, and was willing to share with those less fortunate.
You did such a great job with him, Haley, Hotch thought to himself. Despite his age, he's still willing to share what he has with others. You'd be as proud of him as am I.
With a smile now on his face, Hotch turned his head toward the window and the overcast sky. Grabbing the remote, he lowered the head of the bed, closed his eyes, and before long, sleep overtook him.
The evening had been quiet so far. The door opened quietly and the man looked inside, spotting the agent in bed apparently sleeping soundly. A grin appeared on his face as he studied the sleeping man who seemed unaware of his presence. He glanced at the two agents standing watch and gestured for them to leave the room. They did as told. Now alone, he moved closer to the bed.
Despite how exhausted he had been, Hotch suddenly felt the hair on the back of his neck bristle. He sensed he was being watched, and no longer alone in the room. Somebody else was there, and that person was coming closer. Opening his eyes, Hotch noticed the dreary-looking sky outside as raindrops splattered against the window pane with great urgency. A rumble of thunder echoed throughout the room.
The agent could now sense the presence of somebody standing directly behind him, and he swallowed hard. He warily turned his head to see who was behind him.
