Chapter 136
AN: Thank you for the response to the last chapter. It means so much to me.
"Okay, Pen is with the kids, let's talk victimology," Emily says, as she and Tara walk into the roundtable room.
"Lila and Edward Bennett," Rossi says, as JJ puts the images on the screen. "Parents to Mackenzie 'Kenzie' Bennett born February 19th 2009, Maddison 'Maddie' Bennett born January 13th 2011, Noah Bennet born June 17th 2013, Connor Bennet born November 28th 2015, and Casey Bennet who was born on the 27th of January this year," Rossi, who got the details sent to him by his daughter, explains. "He worked private security for DC elite while she altered high end clothes," Rossi explains.
"And yet, Kenzie is wearing clothes too small for her," Matt notes. That being something he noticed because he found it strange.
"I think we found out the reasons for that," Tara says, looking at Emily.
"The kids were abused, and neglected," Emily explains. "From what Kenzie, Maddie and Noah said Kenzie was basically raising her siblings, and there was abuse, at least from the mother, possibly from the father potentially to both her and the kids," Emily explains.
"Did you notice that the whole time you and Penelope were talking they didn't say mom and dad once?" Tara asks Emily.
"Yeah, I noticed," Emily says, as it was rather hard not to. "They would call their parents, they, or she, or he," Emily explains, and everyone knows how bad that is.
"Did they know anything about what happened?" Rossi asks.
"Kenzie heard footsteps at about three this morning. She pretended to be asleep and said they paused outside her door before continuing, that could have been the Unsub," Emily explains.
"Which means that the Unsub made the conscious decision not to hurt the children," Reid realizes.
"What if it's more than that," JJ theorizes. "The footsteps pausing outside her room could have meant that the Unsub was checking to make sure she was asleep," JJ says.
"Which would be an act of Mercy," Matt realizes, and as he does Emily checks her tablet.
"I just got an email from Pen," Emily says. "Two nights ago, another Arlington couple were killed, also stabbed in the heart while their child slept," Emily says, glad to read that that child is gone to a Aunt. "It hasn't been formally connected but it came up in Penelope's searches," Emily explains. "JJ, Reid, go to the original sign and then back to the Bennett's, see if you can see any similarities," Emily says. "Also, if you can can you collect some clothes for the kids? They only have what they are wearing and Kenzie's bag," Emily says, as she knows that because they have social services for the kids to stay until the case is over then they are going to need more things.
"Sure," JJ says, knowing just what would be needed.
"Matt, Luke, work victimology, see if you can find any connections between the two families, if needed talk to the family of the first victims," Emily instructs. "Dave, Tara, go to the morgue see what they know about all four victims," Emily instructs. "I'll stay here with Pen, working on a deep dive and being with the kids to see if they remember anything else," Emily instructs, and once she does everyone gets to work and she gets up and heads back to her office.
A couple of hours after Emily gave instructions to the team she, Penelope, and the kids are still in Emily's office. Emily is sitting on the couch with Kenzie, Maddie, and Noah, all of whom are watching something on Emily's tablet, as she is communicating with the team on her phone. While his older siblings are on the couch Connor is playing on the ground near Emily's leg while Casey is asleep in the bassinet right near Emily. Penelope is sitting a chair near the other end of the couch, going between doing things on her laptop and helping to keep the kids entertained.
"Penelope," Maddie, who is closet to Penelope.
"Yes Sweetheart?" Penelope asks.
"Can I draw?" Maddie asks, sounding nervous, as she loves to draw.
"Of course, you can," Penelope says, excited, pausing what she is doing and closes her laptop. "You know, I have some color pencils in my office, how about we go and get them?" Penelope asks, and Maddie looks excited. "Let's go," Penelope says, heading out of the office with Maddie, leaving Emily with Kenzie, Noah, Connor and Casey. As Maddie leaves with Penelope Emily notices that Kenzie looks almost worried as she watches her sister go rather than what is playing on the tablet.
"Maddie will be okay with Penelope, she's completely safe," Emily assures Kenzie, who gives a nervous nod. "You really look after your siblings, huh?" Emily asks.
"I have to," Kenzie says. "Emily, I will get to stay with my siblings won't I? we need to stay together, I need to stay with them," Kenzie says, and hearing the desperation in the nine year old voice Emily moves a little closer to her.
"I'm going to tell you the truth, and the truth is I don't know," Emily tells Kenzie. "But what I do know is that I am going to do everything in my power to make sure you do, okay?" Emily asks, as she puts her arm around Kenzie.
"Okay," Kenzie says, with a nod, looking afraid as being separated from her siblings is her worst fear.
"So, you spend time looking after your siblings, but what else do you like to do?" Emily asks, trying to get to know Kenzie a bit better in hopes it will help her to open up.
"Sports! I like to run around and play games," Kenzie says, sounding excited.
"Do you play any team sports?" Emily asks curious, as she knows if s
he does then the couches could be people to talk to. "I wanted to," Kenzie says, with a shrug, which tells Emily everything she needs to know. "I asked to join the softball team," Kenzie explains.
"I'm sorry you weren't able to do that," Emily tells her. "Is sports your favorite subject at school?" Emily asks and Kenzie shakes her head.
"I like music," Kenzie explains. "I wanted to learn guitar, but it is too loud, I wasn't allowed," Kenzie explains.
"Maybe you can now," Emily tells her, and Kenzie look interested, as she does Noah looks up. "What about you Noah? What do you like?" Emily asks.
"Superheroes!" Noah says excited, and Emily can't help but laugh.
"Who's your favorite superhero?" Emily asks, knowing a lot about superheroes thanks to her nephew, the Simmons Kids and JJ's Boys, and Noah excitedly starts to explain.
"This is the coolest office ever!" Maddie says excited, once she and Penelope are in Penelope's office.
"I think so," Penelope says, as she starts to look for the pencils while Maddie looks around at everything.
"Everything's so pink!" Maddie says, amazed.
"Do you like pink?" Penelope asks curious.
"It's my favorite color," Maddie responds, staring at one of the objects in particular.
"You can pick things up if you want," Penelope says, and Kenzie picks up a mid-sized soft pink unicorn. "Do you like art?" Penelope asks curious.
"I love it," Maddie admits.
"Just drawing or do you like other art?" Penelope asks, as she keeps searching and notices the way Maddie is hugging the unicorn.
"I like painting too," Maddie admits. "I'm not allowed to draw or paint too much, but Kenzie found an old camera in the kitchen for me; I use that a lot. I like to take photos," Maddie explains.
"I would love to see your photos sometimes, if you'd like to show me," Penelope says.
"I think I would," Maddie says, with a nod.
"You know, how would you feel about keeping that," Penelope says, guesting to the unicorn.
"Really?" Maddie asks excited.
"Yeah, she needs a new friend," Penelope says, and from the look of pure joy on Maddie's face she knows she made the right choice.
"Thank you," Maddie says gratefully. "Penelope, I was told that Foster kids are hurt, are we going to be hurt again?" Maddie asks worried, and Penelope stops what she is doing and walks over to her.
"Maddie, I promise you, no matter what happens next, Emily and I are going to make sure you and your siblings are never hurt again, okay? I promise," Penelope says, knowing that both she and Emily will do everything to keep that promise.
"Thank you," Maddie says, and she basically throws herself at Penelope, hugging her tight.
"Oh Sweetheart," Penelope says, and she just returns the hug, feeling her heart break for the little girl.
A while after Penelope gave Maddie the unicorn the two of them are back in Emily's office with Emily and Maddie's siblings. As she has realized something Emily sends a text message to Penelope, who reads it and nods.
"Hey, Maddie, Kenzie, Noah, Connor," Penelope says, and all four of the kids look up from the various things they are doing and look at her. "I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get really hungry," Penelope says. "So, I was thinking, we should get some dinner, what would you like?" Penelope asks, looking between the four oldest kids.
"What would we like?" Kenzie asks, almost like they have never been asked that before.
"Yeah, Sweetheart," Emily says to her. "If you could have anything for dinner what would you like?" Emily explains, getting the feeling that the kids don't get many choices to choose.
"Pizza?" Maddie asks, in a nervous tone.
"Yes! Pizza," Noah says, sounding excited.
"I think we can do that," Penelope says, with a comforting smile.
"Do you know what kind you like?" Emily asks.
"Any," Kenzie asks, still feeling a little disbelieving that she is going to get Pizza for dinner.
"I'll make an order," Emily says, getting up and heading out of the office, knowing she will have to check with the rest of the team to see what they want.
Almost an hour later Penelope, Emily, and the kids are sitting around Emily's office eating pizza as well as salad that Emily was sure to order so that the kids could have a balanced meal. While the older children are eating Pizza Emily is feeding Casey her bottle.
"This is so good!" Maddie says amazed, though she is still clutching the unicorn Penelope gave her.
"It really is," Kenzie says.
"Yummy," Noah says.
"I'm really glad you like it," Penelope says, as Emily ruffles Connor's hair, as he looks like he very much enjoys it too.
"Um, Emily," JJ says from the door, looking like she does not want to intrude. "Can I talk to you for a second?" JJ asks.
"Sure," Emily says, and still holding Casey she heads out onto the catwalk and when she sees Rossi too she closes the door behind her. "What's going on?" Emily asks.
"The first victim was definitely connected, it took some pushing, but we found out that they also abused their Son, the Uncle who has the child now, was trying to get social services to intervene," JJ explains.
"I'll get Pen to run him down," Emily says, knowing that could make him a suspect. "Anything else?" Emily explains.
"Potentially another two victims," Rossi reveals.
"We've got reports of another couple being killed in Arlington, their two kids left unharmed, we think it could be connected," JJ explains.
"Take Reid and Tara, go check it out," Emily instructs, JJ nods and walks away.
"How are the kids doing?" Rossi asks.
"Hard to say," Emily admits. "Connor is incredibly shy, he's not talking much, not making much eye contact, which is not surprising," Emily admits. "Maddie and Kenzie both seem terrified about saying or doing the wrong thing, also not surprising," Emily says, wishing that wasn't the case. "I'm not sure Noah understands what's going on, and Casey definitely doesn't," Emily admits, looking down at the little girl.
"And you and Penelope? How are you doing?" Rossi asks, knowing it must be difficult for his daughter, and daughter in law, to be around kids who have been through so much horribleness.
"We're just trying to help," Emily says.
"Emily, I say this as someone who loves you both very much, and doesn't want you to be hurt," Rossi says, and Emily knows she isn't going to like what Rossi has to say. "At the end of this case you will have to say goodbye to them, it won't help you or them to get attached," Rossi says, worrying about the effect this is going to have on not just his daughter and daughter-in-law when they have to say goodbye, but the kids too.
"I know Dave," Emily says, before heading back into the office.
As Rossi watches Emily go back into the room and sees the way Penelope and Emily interact with the kids, he knows that despite Emily's words Penelope and Emily are definitely getting attached to the kids and he can only see that ending in pain.
A couple of hours after Rossi warned Penelope and Emily not to get attacked to the kids, Penelope and Emily are getting Emily's office ready for the kids. As Casey is already asleep, she is in the portable bassinet which is next to Emily's desk as the older kids, who have changed into PJ's that JJ got them, are standing near their sister so that they don't get in the way as Penelope and Emily try to set things up.
"Here we are, the pillows and blankets I had in my office," Penelope says, walking into the office, handing half of what she is holding to Emily who is setting up the military style cot she had in her closet while Penelope is setting up the couch.
Over the next few minutes Penelope and Emily continue to get things set up until the finally the couch and cot are makeshift beds.
"Okay, it's not great, but this should be okay for tonight," Emily explains, knowing they don't really have a more suitable option because they have to keep the kids inside the BAU.
"What about you and Penelope?" Kenzie asks as she doesn't see how Penelope and Emily are going to fit too.
"We're okay, Honey, we've got some work to do, but we're going to be here the whole time," Penelope explains to Kenzie.
"The couch is a little bigger so Kenzie, Maddie, I was thinking you two can share that, while Connor and Noah can share the cot," Emily explains, knowing that that's why she and Penelope set the cot up so it's a bit more protected so they can't roll off it. "Is that okay?" Emily asks, and Maddie, and Kenzie both nod.
"Good," Penelope says, and over the next few minutes she and Emily help the older kids to be settled into their makeshift beds, and all four of the kids are going to be tucked in. While Penelope is finishing tucking in the boys in the boys Emily is squatting next to the couch.
"I want you both to know you're completely safe here," Emily assure Kenzie and Maddie as she tucks them in. "Pen and I will be here the whole time, and you're together, okay?" Emily asks, and they both nod. "Sweet dreams," Emily says to them, even though she knows it is a longshot.
"Story?" Connor asks, as Penelope double, and triple checks, to make sure he is tucked in.
"Yeah, I think I can do that," Penelope says, grabbing Emily's tablet and using it to pull up one of the books she brought for when they babysit. "I know just the story," Penelope says, as she starts to read it, it being more than clear that all the kids are listening, not just Connor.
A few hours after Penelope and Emily tucked in the older kids, they have fed Casey, who is now once more asleep in the bassinet, and the two of them are sitting together, behind Emily's desk. Even though they are sitting on separate chairs they are sitting extremely close together.
"How could anyone hurt such incredible kids?" Penelope asks her wife in a quiet voice, not wanting to wake the kids.
"I don't know," Emily admits, as she can't imagine it either. "I just know I want to make sure they are never hurt again," Emily admits, knowing she will do everything to make sure of that.
"I promised Maddie that," Penelope admits. "What are social services saying?" Penelope asks curious, knowing her wife has been in contact with them.
"Kenzie was right, they have absolutely no family," Emily admits. "Social services is trying to find a placement where they can stay together, but it's…."
"Difficult," Penelope finishes.
"Yeah," Emily confirms.
"Em, they have to stay together, they're not going to get through what happened if they're not," Penelope tells her wife.
"I know, Babe," Emily says. "What have you found about the parents?" Emily asks curious, as she knows that Penelope has been looking them.
"They constantly post on social media, but it's all about them, and their achievements, nothing about the kids; there wasn't even a post about Casey's birth," Penelope explains.
"So, Narcissist," Emily realizes.
"What I don't get is why would they would keep having kids if they don't care about them," Penelope admits.
"Either it's a status thing, that they thought that if they had more kids it would make them seem more successful, or they think having more kids would make their life, or relationship, better," Emily explains.
"That's awful," Penelope says, as Emily squeezes her hand, and the two of them drift into silence, watching the kids as they sleep.
After a night of working in her office with Penelope, while they watched over the kids. As they kids eat breakfast with Penelope Emily is walking into the roundtable room where the rest of the team are.
"What have we got?" Emily asks.
"The third victims definitely seem like they are connected they were both stabbed twice in the heart…" Matt starts to explain.
"Twice?" Emily asks. "The Bennett's were stabbed five times, you'd expect the number of stab wounds to increase, not decrease," Emily notes.
"We think the stab wounds are connected to the amount of kids," Tara explains. "The first victims had one kid and were stabbed once, the Bennett's had five, and five stab wounds, while the last couple had two kids and were each stabbed twice," Tara explains.
"That makes sense," Emily realizes. "Was there abuse?" Emily asks.
"Yes," JJ confirms. "The kids are with the grandparents now, they had been trying over the last couple of months to get custody," JJ explains.
"It almost seems like our unsub is an avenging Angel," Emily realizes. "What if the unsub has had children of their own that have died, and so seeing these parents who hurt their children, that they are lucky enough to still have, is what set him off," Emily says.
"That's what we were thinking," Rossi admits.
"We need to find out the connection between the three families," Emily says. "Kenzie and Maddie both said they didn't tell anyone about the abuse, they were to afraid, and some how the unsub knew. We need to figure out how," Emily instructs.
A little while after Emily talked with the rest of the team about the case Emily is back in her office with Penelope and the kids. As Penelope searched her office she found some Lego which the five oldest kids are building with Emily and Penelope, while Penelope holds Casey.
"That's really good Connor," Emily says, as Connor is stacking the bigger blocks.
"Emily, I'm building a house," Kenzie reveals.
"That's really cool," Emily says, with a smile. "And Noah, Maddie, what are you building?" Emily asks curious.
"A school," Maddie answers, though both Emily and Penelope notice that she is only building with one hand because with her other hand she is holding the unicorn Penelope gave her.
"Car!" Noah says excitedly, to Emily and Penelope's amusement, and the five kids, Penelope and Emily continue to play together.
A few hours later Penelope and Emily are still with the kids, though Connor, Noah and Casey are napping while Kenzie and Maddie are watching something on Emily's tablets, and listening to it with headphones. As Penelope and Emily look between the kids, making sure they're okay, the door to Emily's office opens to reveal Rossi.
"We need you both in the roundtable room," Rossi says.
"We'll be right there," Emily says. "Kenzie," Emily says, gesturing to take off the headphones, and Kenzie takes them off. "Penelope and I need to go talk to the rest of our team, can you watch your brothers and sisters for a few minutes?" Emily asks.
"Of course," Kenzie says, as she is very used to doing that.
"There will be Agents right outside if you need anything," Penelope says, and she picks up her laptop as she and Emily head out of the office.
As they don't want to leave the kids for too long Penelope and Emily walk fast to the roundtable room and when they enter the rest of the team are all sitting around.
"What's going on?" Emily asks.
"We think we know who the Unsub is," Luke explains.
"Who?" Emily asks, as Penelope opens her laptop.
"Brad Silver, he was the letter carrier who serviced all three areas," Reid explains, as Penelope starts her searches.
"It's the only connection we could find," Tara says. "And it fits with what Kenzie and Maddie said, a person like a mail carrier is anonymous, but could potentially see everything. He might have seen the abuse going on even if no one else did," Tara says.
"Oh god, he was a single father, from his social media it is clear he was devoted to his family," Penelope says, a horrified look on her face.
"What happened to his children?" Emily asks her wife.
"They were killed in a car accident six weeks ago. Last week was his first week back at work," Penelope plains.
"Which means he has nothing left. If cornered he might see suicide by cop as his only option," Rossi realizes.
"He'll need to be approached carefully," Tara says.
"Pen…" Emily starts to say.
"Sending address to devices," Penelope says, as she hits send.
"Luke, Matt, JJ, Reid, go," Emily says, and the foursome hurry out of the room.
A little while after they left the BAU Luke, Matt, JJ, and Reid arrive at Brad Silver's address.
"I'll take the back," Luke says, heading around in one direction, while Matt goes on the other. As Luke has an easier path around, he gets to the back first, and he sees the man he knows to be Brad Silver hurrying out the back door.
"FBI STOP!" Luke yells and the first thing he notices is that Brad has a gun in his hand. "Drop the gun, Brad, it's over," Luke tells him.
"It's not over!" Brad exclaims. "All over this city there are people who don't appreciate the miracles they have!" Brad exclaims. "I was doing those kids a favour!" Brad says.
"You were, you were helping those kids, trying to prevent harm," Matt says, coming up from behind.
"Drop the gun, Brad, and we can tell your story," Luke says.
"No, there is only one thing I want," Brad says, and he points the gun at Matt and is about to pull the trigger, so Luke has no choice but to fire, killing him.
A little while after Luke killed the Unsub Penelope and Emily are standing on the catwalk outside Emily's office, and Emily is on her phone.
"Yes, I understand," Emily says, disappointment clear in her voice. "Can you give me an hour before coming?" Emily asks. "Thank you," Emily says, before hanging up, and as soon as Emily hangs up Penelope takes several steps towards her wife.
"They're being split up aren't they?" Penelope asks, not wanting the kids to hear even though the door to Emily's office is closed.
"They say they have no choice," Emily admits, sounding frustrated. "They can't find a family who is willing to take five siblings," Emily admits.
"No, this isn't okay! They need to be together!" Penelope exclaims, sounding just as frustrated as Emily feels.
"I know, I hate it too," Emily admits, that being perfectly clear to Penelope. "That's why I asked for an hour, there's got to be something we can do," Emily says as she does not want to break her word to Kenzie, and as she speaks she and Penelope look at each other, both thinking the same thing.
"Do you think it's possible?" Penelope asks, sounding amazed.
"I think we need to call Keelie and find out," Emily admits.