Emily and Penelope made it back to the precinct in good time.

"How did 'toddler negotiations' go?" Derek asked as they joined them at the table.

"Valerie Braverman is one mixed up little girl." Penelope said.

Emily nodded. "It cost me a new stuffed toy and a new blanket, but I was able to get Valerie to come out of her shell."

"It's true." Penelope added. "Emily also got Valerie to eat. She had been refusing."

Hotch asked, "Has Valerie said anything about the home invaders?"

"Not a peep." Emily told him. "I did trade her those new treasures for this. Valerie gave it up happily."

JJ examined the key for herself before passing it on. "What all did happen?"

So Emily and Penelope tag-teamed to tell the others about their visit with Valerie Braverman.

"Wow." remarked Spencer into the surprised silence. "And Valerie held on to the key for all that time?"

Emily bobbed her head. "Yep. I also cleaned her hand and bandaged it after she accidentally cut herself on the key. That was the act that won her over."

Hotch gave an approving nod. "Is there any updates about Valerie's relatives? The Baxters, correct?"

"Yes. They're her aunt and uncle. So far as I know, sir, they're still in the air."

"Okay. Will Valerie be moved to a foster home or something along those lines?"

"I honestly don't know, but her caseworker didn't mention anything like that. She would have if it mattered." Emily said. "That woman was very cooperative."

Hotch felt a dash of relief. "Good. Is Valerie's leg injury bad?"

"Not grievous. More like a big bummer." Emily decided. "She did acknowledge it, though. I'm betting she'll stay where she is until further notice."

Penelope added a thought in before she could help herself. "Poor Valerie could also need physical therapy."

Everyone looked at her in surprise. Her comment had been way out of left field.

"What?" the analyst sputtered.

"Keep going." Derek told her. "You have our attention."

"Long story short: I had a major wipeout on my bike when I was eight. Didn't see the loose gravel on the trail. I collided with an oak tree."

JJ winced. "Oof. Did your parents put you in PT, then?"

"Yep. My arms were just wrecked, and I had to regain what strength I'd lost. Felt like forever." Penelope flexed both wrists as memories came back. "All I'm saying is that Valerie having any extra reason to stay busy is a very good thing right now."

Spencer cottoned on to her train of thought. "You're also thinking that Valerie is in the safest place she be."

"Boy Wonder, you are correct." Penelope confirmed. "Heaven forbid one of our unsubs plow down an innocent family to get to Valerie. She's better protected in a hospital."

"All of you are definitely correct." Hotch told them. "I will have extra security assigned to Valerie's room in awhile. She is very important."

Rossi spoke to Emily when a new thought came to him. "I take it that Valerie's doctor has a way to reach you? And that Valerie also gave you her trust?"

Emily nodded. "That's right. I think returning when the Baxters do would be a wise course of action. So I can explain things."

"Yep. I'm with you on that. Why don't you take JJ with you when you do go back?"

"Good idea, sir."

JJ also nodded. "Talking to families is a thing I'm good at. Happy to help."

"That's the ticket. You two may hit the road whenever you get word of the Baxters' arrival."

JJ and Emily conveyed their understanding.

Hotch spoke up again, but changed lanes. "First impressions on the storage key?"

Derek picked it up again to give it another study. "The company name says A & E Storage. Who knows where that is?"

Penelope was quick to provide the answer after checking on her laptop's research program. "You, my intrepid explorers, can find A & E Storage at 6728 North Street."

"Anything special we should know about it?"

"Just that it's come into new management. Recently." the analyst looked closer at her screen. "Hmm..."

"What?"

Penelope looked at them all again. "According to these articles here, the previous manager was murdered."

Everyone else cried out as one. "Excuse me?"

"That's what it says." Penelope indicated her screen. "He was found… wrapped in a tarp with his valuables."

Derek stood. "Do you have a name for him? Where did it happen?"

"Looks like one county over. The guy was called Simon Conroy."

"Morgan," Hotch called. "Where are you going?"

Derek pointed to the doorway. "I want to ask McHolland why this wasn't mentioned when we got here."

"Okay. Report back when you're done."

Derek bowed himself out of the room.

From there, Spencer and Emily began work on constructing a timeline of the case's events. Penelope delved back in to her world of research. That left one person without an assignment.

"What about me?" JJ bleated when she realized she was last.

Hotch was already waiting in the doorway.

Rossi stood and pulled the young woman to her feet. "You're going to take a stroll with us for a second. We've got a job for you."

They led JJ further up the hallway, stopping in front what looked like a lounge. Its door was closed. Through the large wall window, JJ spotted an average-looking couple sitting together on a sofa. Both seemed a step or two short of ashen.

"Are these the Bravermans' neighbors?" JJ queried.

"Yes." Rossi told her. "Ernest and Rosie Resnik. Their place is just beside the Braverman house."

Hotch handed JJ a file folder. "This has an overview of what we know for the moment. We would like for you to interview them. And you haven't met Valerie yet."

JJ took the folder in hand. "Meaning I'm a little more detached that Emily would be. When did the Resniks get here?"

"Just about the time that the others made it back from the hospital." said Rossi. "Please take what you learn from the Resniks to formulate a plan with everyone else, if you can."

"Sure thing." JJ said confidently. "Are you guys off to the storage facility?"

Rossi nodded as he tapped his inner jacket pocket. "We have the key now. Moving forward is possible. I don't think it'll take too long."

"Then best of luck."

JJ's colleagues thanked her and headed out.

Meanwhile, Derek had hit an unexpected roadblock when going to call on Captain McHolland.

The man was nowhere to be seen.

"Agent?" came a new voice nearby to where Derek stood. "Is there something you need right now?"

Derek tore his gaze away from Captain McHolland's increasingly-suspicious empty office to see a professionally-dressed woman standing some feet away. Watching. The badge clipped to her belt said she was a direct member of McHolland's team.

"Yeah." Derek moved closer to her and extended a hand. "I'm Special Agent Morgan. What's your name?"

She shook Derek's hand. "I'm Lieutenant Anissa Valdez. How can I help?"

Derek waved a hand towards the office. "Where is your captain? I have a question for him."

Valdez checked her watch. "Jed told me that he was going outside for a smoke…"

Derek arched an eyebrow at this but said nothing.

"Yeah." Valdez laughed. "I know it's a terrible vice for a leader to have."

"Never mind that. When did he go?"

"About five minutes back." Valdez checked her watch again. "Jed should be back by now."

"And where is his usual smoking spot?" Derek implored.

"Ground level, out back in the alley." Valdez began to walk away but beckoned for Derek to follow. "Come on. We'll go see what's up."

The dread growing in Derek's gut increased tenfold when they converged on the alley. It was unoccupied.

Both avenues at either end of the area showed passing vehicles and open businesses. Yet… No evidence of Captain Jed McHolland being there just then.

Except for one glaring bit of evidence.

Valdez noticed first. "What the hell..."

On the ground in a pool of blood, there could be seen McHolland's own service weapon. And his phone. Shell casings that could have been left behind by a gun were also absent.

Captain McHolland had been kidnapped. In broad daylight.

Valdez immediately spoke, although it was more to herself. "I need to call Talitha..."

Derek asked her, "Is that McHolland's wife?"

"Yes. And they're parents."

Derek took charge when he saw that Valdez was on the verge of spiraling. "First things first: who is in command directly after your partner, Anissa?

"I am." the woman said with a jolt this thought slammed into her.

"Excellent. I need you to go through the official contingency plan for abduction, and to cordon off this area. Can you do that for me?"

Valdez re-centered her focus. "I can do that, agent. What are you going to do?"

Derek was already heading back inside. "I'm going to alert my team!"

Upstairs, Emily and Spencer worked together to better the timeline of the case's events. JJ? Also busy.

But even Derek hadn't retuned from his own self-appointed task. And he had left the room first.

"Hey." Spencer patted Emily's hand. "You on planet earth?"

Emily was quick to come back to reality. "What is it?"

Spencer pointed. "Your phone."

The device was within reach on the main tabletop and lighting up with an incoming call.

Emily quickly picked up. "Hello!"

Rossi chuckled at her hurried tone. "Is everything well?"

Emily grew professional again. "I'm fine. Did you guys find the laptop?"

"We did. But we were unable to gain any news on the previous manager's death. If that isn't suspicious…"

"Agreed. Care to elaborate?" Emily asked Rossi.

"I'll do that when we get back. Everyone should hear it. We're already in the car now." Rossi checked the car clock. "Fifteen minutes, tops. We'll see you when we get back."

They both ended their calls.

Penelope began to say, "Who was th—"

But she was cut off when Derek rushed into the room. He was acting as though someone had lit a fire under him. The others immediately put themselves on guard.

"What is it?" Emily said to Derek.

He quickly surveyed the room and his pulse quickened. "Where is JJ?"

Spencer got to his feet. "Conducting an interview. I'll go check."

They were both back in record time.

"Derek?" JJ said in polite puzzlement. "What's happening?"

Derek heaved a sigh. "We have a complication."

JJ had her own sigh at this announcement. "Foreboding. Enlighten us."

Derek didn't waste a moment. "Captain Jed McHolland is missing."