No, I did not abandon this story. I'm usually good about posting a chapter while on vacation, but not this time. I was in Disney World since the fourteenth, and got dragged into work a couple unplanned times. Enjoy!
Chapter Seven:
Esper:
I drove while, Morris talked on the phone. Reid was riding in with Cole. The Saverino Funeral Home was supposed to receive the body at eight o'clock this morning. Nothing was being ruled out at this point. Esper and I were to go and have an inter-agency emergency meeting as soon as we got in.
I had thought to order some business attire for Reid. She looked more comfortable in a gray pants suit with an aqua V-neck blouse. Her hair was in a ponytail. It was hard to read what she was thinking.
Thompson met us in the parking lot.
"Thanks for the graphic novels," Reid said.
"No problem," he said. "I'll have to have you over so you and Jane can discuss your favorites."
"I'd like that."
We walked into the mezzanine level. Director Crown was waiting in front of security.
"How are you feeling today, Dr. Reid?" he asked, as he approached her.
"Ready to help in whatever way I can."
"Agent Cole, would you mind coming over with your phone?"
I looked to my agents. I had no idea what was going on. Cole stepped forward.
Crown smiled. "I had this personally processed last night. Congratulations, Agent Reid."
He presented Reid her FBI credentials.
Reid looked astonished. Cole snapped a photo as Crown handed it to her. Looking also slightly embarrassed, it was obvious she was thrilled. Crown offered his hand. She shook it with enthusiasm.
"I was going to ask as soon it was calmer," Morris said.
"I know," Crown said. "But there wasn't going to be a good moment today. I am also sending a cake up later today."
"Director, this is too much," Reid said.
"Not from where I'm standing. You earned it. Now I understand there are some angry Italian Consulate officials in Morris's office."
"Reid and I will deal with the consulate officials," I said. "I'm not good at fighting interagency turf wars."
"That works for me," Morris said. "Cole, go examine what surveillance footage we have access to. Thompson, monitor social media."
"Good luck Agent Reid," Crown said.
Thompson, Cole, Reid and I, stepped into in elevator, while Morris headed in a different direction with Crown.
"I hope we didn't ruin the plans your family made for after graduation," Thompson said as we got in.
"Actually, I was only going to dinner with my roommate's family," she said. "My grandfather is recovering from hip replacement surgery."
Questions hung in the air. The tabloids would occasionally do follow-up stories with photos of her from a distance. By all accounts, her grandfather, her only living blood relative after the explosion, gave her a happy life. I knew appearances were deceiving.
"He will be happy to hear the news," Cole said carefully.
We left the elevator and headed to the BAU offices at the end of the hall.
"My grandfather acts like someone who won the lottery, but never played," she said. "He loves me dearly, but he never wanted me and there are layers of guilt between us."
"That's rough," Thompson said.
"I could have had it worse," Reid said with a shrug.
Thompson and Cole headed to the bullpen, while Reid and I walked to the administrative wing.
"I still miss the old look," I said. "The bullpen walls are too high and gray."
"It's an adjustment," she said.
I stopped for a moment. "Diana, is there anything bothering you?"
She looked at me. "Agent Esper, I am here to help, not be treated like glass."
"Promise you'll tell me if something feels off?"
She nodded. "I will."
"Let's get to work."
We walked to Morris's open office. Two expensively-dressed men with graying curly dark hair were standing in front of the desk. They turned when they heard us approaching. Their eyes locked on Reid.
I wasn't going to let her get hurt again. As mini-crossbows were pulled out, I blocked their view of Reid.
I was instantly stabbed in the chest with a pair of black arrows. I had been shot twice, and stabbed in the shoulder, but this pain was far worse. Tumbling to the ground, I heard shouting in a language I was fairly certain wasn't Italian.
…
Where I was, was flaming hot. Everything tinted in hues of orange. In the distance, I could hear screaming, someone was in unearthly pain.
Looking around I saw none other than Spencer Reid, tied to a chair, wearing only black slacks. He looked older. His body was littered with tally marks. A monster with the head of a cobra, body of a cloaked human, sunk a syringe into his arm.
"Esper!" he shouted as he locked eyes with me. "Help my daughter, please! Esper, help Diana save us! Please!"
…
I opened my eyes to find Reid, kneeling over me, chanting.
"Your father," I whispered. "Your father needs us!"