Chapter 42- Rescuing Sam and Thanks

Finch watched as his daughter zipped through bank accounts that were attached to SP-9. She bit her lips nervously as she drained the accounts into an offshore account. "Okay. I think that's a wrap, Dad," Brandi said with a final click of the mouse.

"That's my girl," Finch said, pressing a warm kiss to her head.

"I only hope I got this right, Dad. My hacking skills aren't nearly as good as yours," Brandi said with a faint smile.

"You're getting there, Sweetheart. But think of it this way; at least you stayed here instead of going with Mr. Reese," Finch said, rubbing her face an hair gently with the palms of his large hands.

"After what happened with Dr. Tillman and Andrew Benton, isn't this what you wanted, Dad?" Brandi asked.

"Of course. But I love you. That's why I want you always safe," Finch said, hugging her tightly.

"I love you too, Dad," Brandi said into his chest as the computer beeped.

"Yes, Mr. Reese?" Finch asked, pressing th button on his computer.

"Finch, I'm here with Angela Markham," Reese said.

"Uncle John, turn the speakers on so we can hear everything. I have an idea that just might work when you talk to them. I'll tell you if I want to talk to the," Brandi said, sitting back down. Finch sat next to her and rested his hand on top of her hand. Brandi smiled faintly as Angela's voice came over the monitor.

"Wait," Angela said.

"Your name is Jarek Koska. Your bank account number is 127-834-0102. Last year you laundered at least 400 million to clients, including MS-13, the Sinaloa Cartel and the government of North Korea," Reese said.

"So you got some info from that alcoholic witch," Koska said in an irritated voice.

"Uncle John now," Brandi whispered.

"Okay, kid. You're on," Reese said.

"I'm the last one you'll ever tell. These aren't good odds for you," Koska continued with his threats.

"I'm not alone. Brandi, I have you on speaker phone," Reese said. Brandi pushed a button, rining up Koska's number and Finch heard an audible click as the line connected.

"Mr. Koska, every last dime has been transferred to an offshore account. Do exactly what me and my uncle say and you might get it back. But if they don't walk out of there alive, very client on your list will be notified that you've lost all their money. And Uncle John won't have to kill you. Your clients will do that for him," Brandi said smugly. There was a long silence.

"The operation's burnt. Shoot them all," Koska said, his words followed by gunshots.

"Dad," they heard Sam Jr. say.

"Judge, is he all right?" Reese asked to Finch's relief.

"Yeah," Gates said.

"Then take him home," Reese said.

"Thank God it's over. We'd better leave a clue for Carter and Fusco to find Angela and her friends," Brandi said, rubbing her face.

"At least you didn't do too many dangerous stunts this time, Sweetheart," Finch said, kissing Brandi's forehead.

"Yeah, you should be thrilled, Dad," Brandi said dryly.

"Don't be sarcastic, Brandilyn. I don't want you safe because I'm cruel. I want you safe because I love you more than you know and I don't want to lose you again," Finch said sternly.

"Dad, the case is over. I'm safe," Brandi said, resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"I am well aware of that, Brandilyn," Finch said, stroking her hair gently.

"Dad, before we wrap this up, can me and Uncle John check up on Gates to see if Sam Jr. is okay?" Brandi asked, raising her face from his chest.

"I suppose so as long as you stay with Mr. Reese and you don't tell Gates where you're living or what your last name is," Finch warned, cupping her face gently with his hands.

"Okay. I promise," Brandi said.

"That's my girl," Finch said, kissing her forehead again.


Brandi and Reese watched as Gates and Sam played soccer in the park. The way Sam Jr. looked, his terrifying ordeal hadn't seemed to phase him in anyway. Brandi had heard that kids could be resilient. She guessed it was true. Although it seemed as if Gates was having fun too by acting like a dork by putting the soccer ball on his head.

"That's us,10, tree, 0," Gates said breathlessly.

"You're so weird, Dad," Sam said.

"Wanna do it again?" Gates asked.

"Let's go," Sam said excitedly, taking off running.

"Here you go," Gates said, kicking it in Sam's direction as Reese and Brandi joined Gates. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever see either of you again," Gates said.

"Yeah, we're, uh, not great at keeping in touch with people," Reese said dryly.

"I don't know how to thank you," Gates said.

"You don't need to say anything. I'd prefer it actually," Brandi said.

"Look, Miss, I don't know exactly what you or your uncle do, or how you're doing it, but I know that if people ever find out, when they find out, there won't be anything I can do to protect either of you," Gates said resolutely.

"Go play with your son," Reese said as he and Brandi walked away.


Finch was reading his book as Brandi slipped into the booth beside him and Reese sat across from them. "What did he say?" Finch asked, his eyes on his finger, running across the book.

"That we don't need to worry. He might even help us someday," Brandi said. Finch looked up at his daughter with a long-suffering look.

"Brandilyn, don't lie. I was listening to your conversation," Finch said pointedly.

"And I was reading between the lines, Daddy," Brandi said.

Finch wiped his mouth on his napkin and closed the book. "I suppose only time will tell which one of us is right, Brandi," Finch said.

"Thank you," Reese said.

"I beg your pardon?" Finch asked, gripping Brandi's hand.

"For giving me a job," Reese said simply.

Finch was quiet for a long moment and then touched the menu. "Try the eggs Benedict, Mr. Reese. I've had them many times," Finch said as he and Brandi stood and made their way to the exit.