~~~~~CM~~~~~
Derek took the keys from Emily as Aaron handed out the Kevlar vests. Dave and Spencer would follow in the next car. Clyde Easter, face bloody, ran up with one of his agents as Dave was putting on his vest. He looked to Aaron for permission to allow them to join.
Aaron nodded at Dave as they pulled away. He didn't want to deal with Easter now, but the man had information they needed.
In the backseat of the SUV, Emily was frantically calling Louise on her mobile and the house phone. She tried calling her own house in case they were next door.
Her text alert pinged, and read aloud, "Security Alarm Activated. Oh God, he's there. Step on it, Morgan."
Derek hit the sirens and flew through the streets, weaving through traffic.
Finally Aaron had a moment to read the note.
"Hello Love,
I have been tracking Lauren Reynolds all over Europe. Sad to hear she died in car accident. Luckily, I found Emily Prentiss.
You took the only thing that matters to me, so I'll take the one thing that matters to you. Your Family!
You stole my life and my boys. My Boys. MINE. You may have covered your tracks well but you trusted the wrong people.
Running again? Greece this time? I don't think so. I am taking back what is MINE.
Goodbye Love,
Ian"
Aaron steeled himself, putting his feelings aside, "Emily, the note says you trusted the wrong people. Is Easter one of them?" He asked her. "Easter said that Ian killed three Interpol agents and their families for information."
Her voice was quiet from the back seat, "No, he wasn't directly involved. My handlers were Sean, Tsia, and Jeremy. Only they knew the extent of the operation and my real name. Clyde should have told me that Ian escaped or that the people who were protecting my identity and my SON, were being murdered. I had options, Aaron. I could have disappeared again. Now, Liam, Declan, and Louise are in danger."
Derek had held his tongue for longer than Aaron expected, "Emily, are you saying that you slept with a terrorist?"
Rolling his eyes, Aaron held up his hand, "Morgan, stop it. Right now, we have a power assertive psychopath going after the boys. This isn't the time for your petty behavior."
"Fuck you, Derek," Emily said quietly.
They rode in silence for another fifteen minutes before the SUV screeched to a stop in front of the townhouse. Aaron was pleased to see two police cars in the middle of the street.
They climbed out, pulling their guns from their holsters.
"What have we got?" He asked the closest policeman as he kept a hand on Emily's arm preventing her from rushing in.
"Back door was jimmied open and the front door was kicked open. Our captain said to hold back until you arrive. We have officers surrounding the house."
Dave, Reid, and the Interpol agents arrived, piling out of the vehicle.
Aaron stood tall, "Based on the note, Louise is the main target but I wouldn't put it past him to hurt the boys. Morgan take point in Emily's house, take Dave and Interpol guys with you. Emily, Reid, and I will go in Louise's house." He turned and faced the police officers, "We have one adult female and two small children. The unsub is believed to be operating alone but we cannot be sure."
Everyone nodded, poised to split up between the two homes, front and back.
Terrified of what he would see inside, Aaron took a deep breath and rubbed Emily's arm, "Let's Go."
~~~~~CM~~~~~
Aaron entered the house in tandem with Emily, sweeping the corners with their guns. Spencer brought up the rear as they stepped into the living room. The furniture was overturned, smashed lamps and picture frames led them from room to room. In the kitchen, Aaron saw one man on the ground, not moving. He nodded to Spencer, who crouched down to check for a pulse. He shook his head.
Her voice was like steel as she looked at the man with a bullet hole in middle of his forehead, "That's Connor Tate."
Multiple trails of blood glistened on the wood floor, one leading to the basement and the other, upstairs. Emily's head swiveled back and forth, unsure of which direction to go. "Em, hang back. Please."
One of the Interpol guys came through the kitchen, "Back of the house and yard are clear."
"Take upstairs with Reid." Aaron ordered quietly as he opened the basement door. Aaron led down the stairs with his gun extended in his hand, Emily following him closely.
They descended the unpainted basement steps to the concrete floor which was was splattered with droplets of blood leading another body. A males with multiple shots to the torso. Emily confirmed his identity, "Liam O'Neill. He was Ian's second in command."
Morgan's voice came through the earpieces, "No sign of the children or Louise. Doesn't look like anyone was inside Emily's house."
Then the accented voice of the Interpol Agent came through, "Agent Hotchner, we have a female down in the master bedroom."
A guttural scream ripped from Emily. Aaron grabbed onto her, preventing her from falling to the ground.
~~~~~CM~~~~~
