Unknown location –
Earl kept his eyes glued to the monitors. He watched as Coby stormed out of the van and into the building alone. He could tell by his body language that he was furious. Quickly Earl jumped from his seat and met his boss in the hallway. He needed to hear the details, so wanting to have been included in the action. Secretly, he had always been jealous of the others for having all the fun while he sat here doing the mundane things like research, surveillance and watching a prisoner that was chained to a wall.
"Boss, what happened?"
"They killed them, that's what happened!" Cody barked.
"Now it's just you and me, right?"
Cody stopped momentarily and looked at the younger man. Earl saw a look of disgust and his heart sunk; now he was angry.
"Humpf, nah; now it's just me."
"But I can help, anything just..."
"Go home, Earl!"
"Really, anything!"
"When was the last time you say your old man, anyway?"
"Please Cody, I owe you man!"
"No, you don't owe me anything anymore. Now, go home. I'll see you in the morning."
Earl stood dejectedly in silence watching Cody storm down the hall and out of sight. He'd show them, he thought. He'd show them all.
Derek heard voices in the hallway, and he knew that Cody had returned. He wasn't sure what that meant for him but for sure it wasn't good. The conversation was heated, and Derek knew that whatever Cody had in mind, he wasn't going to take it without a fight.
Cody stopped at the small supply closet. He was sure that his two friends were either dead or captured and so he needed to handle things on this end. He had underestimated the vacationers at the cabin and for that he would forever kick himself. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice, so after gathering a few things, Cody entered the room closing the door behind him.
Derek watched Cody enter and place something on the floor; except for the baton like stick in his hand, he wasn't sure what the other things were, but he braced himself, pulling slightly on the chains around his wrists.
"Your friends are quite something." Cody began.
Tapping the baton in his hand he took a step toward Derek.
"I guess I didn't think things through. I mean what was I thinking, right?"
"What did you do?" Derek asked.
"It doesn't matter now. I have to do this myself, but it's okay, It'll be more fun."
Cody lunged at Derek with the baton, but Derek managed to block the baton with his arm. An electrical shock hit him like a bolt of lightning.
"Ahhh..." Derek moaned against the pain.
"Yeah, that's just the low setting; it's going to get worse." He chuckled.
Confident now, Cody stepped closer and for his confidence received a hard kick to the gut. He was shocked as he gasped for air. Derek kept his eyes on the crazed man, and he knew he was going to have to do more than that to keep Cody away.
Cody charged again this time hitting Derek in the upper chest, sending him hard against the wall. He struggled to breathe, he was hit again and again, each time the baton was held in place longer than the previous time.
Derek could hear the man laughing hysterically, the laugh was fueled by anger and then he was hit again with the baton, the room around him began to turn from gray to black and Derek knew it was going to be a long, long night.
Cody watched Derek's body twitching on the floor then go limp and still. He felt exhilarated as he stepped back to examine his handiwork. He was just getting started, but for now he'd wait until his captive was recovered enough for another round.
It had been a few weeks since Earl had been home only checking in on his elderly father by phone. He had promised to stop by, but it had been a lie. Since being out of jail, he'd kept his distance from home; seeing his parents struggling with old age and sickness reminded him that he had been an utter failure and disappointment. Neither of his parents had pointed out his failings showing him nothing bur unconditional love, but he felt the guilt of not being the man and the son they'd needed. He vowed to do better and now that this thing with Cody was coming to an end, he was sure he could make do on that promise.
Rossi Cabin –
Law enforcement and the fire department swarmed the large cabin. Dave, Hotch and the others gathered in the kitchen. It had been a crazy day and the night had gotten crazier. Dave could see the wear on Fran and the girls, and he suggested that the three of them go to bed and get some rest; they declined. Derek and Penelope were still missing and none of the night's events had brought them any closer to finding them.
"JJ, I want you to call Kevin and find out everything he can on the other property owners within ten miles of this cabin."
"Hotch, it's after midnight!"
"I don't care, wake him up! I want to know who would have it out for Derek or Penelope and who owns property near here and I want to know now!"
"On it." She responded.
"I can't believe this is happening, who would do this?" Fran asked.
Dave pulled her toward him wrapping his arms tightly around her. She was trembling and the fact that she had gone through such an ordeal made him more determined to find the perpetrators.
"We'll find them, Bella I promise; we'll find them."
"Dave has any of your neighbors been overly friendly or curious about your family, especially Derek?" Reid asked.
"Well, no not really but we're only up here once or twice a year."
"In fact, I've never seen anyone else around during the times we're here." Fran added.
"It's odd that someone would have a place close enough to set a trap and then hide close enough to come and try to hurt you or us here." Reid added.
"Wait, Spence you may be on to something, We may not be looking for someone who owns property, it may be someone who's either renting or even squatting on property; deserted property or a makeshift something." Will added.
"If that's the case then finding them will be harder than we think." Said Hotch.
Home of Obie White –
She hadn't eaten much but it was still good to see her sitting up and listening as he rattled on. Obie thought that he had even seen a spark of remembrance as he reminded her of how they had found the small cabin twenty years ago. Then it was gone, and the tears began to stream down her face as she handed him the half-eaten plate of food. He was sad too, but it was a start; he was just happy to have her back home. The years of regret and loneliness had nearly destroyed him.
She'd asked to be left alone and so without trying to convince her to try dessert he helped her to get settled into bed. Then kissing her lightly on the forehead he re-tied her restraints against her pleadings and left the room.
Just as he'd washed the dishes and put away the food, Obie heard the key turn in the door. The sight of his son walking in made his heart leap for joy. He had great news that he knew would make them both happy.
"Hey Pops."
"Son, you're home!"
Obie rushed the young man gobbling him up and hugging him tight. It felt good to see his boy again.
"It's good to see you, are you hungry?'
"No, I'm just tired. I'm sorry for not being home much these last few weeks."
"Nonsense! Hey, I've got a surprise for you!"
"Oh, a surprise?"
"Yes, yes!" Then pulling his son toward the hallway. "She's back! You're not going to believe it but, she's home!"
Allowing himself to be pulled down the short hallway, he wondered what could have driven his father to such a state. Just before opening the door, his father turned back, placing his index finger to his lips, and warning him to be quiet.
Earl followed his father into the room. The room was dimly lit by a small light on the nightstand nearby. His jaw dropped and he couldn't believe his eyes. She was beautiful even beyond the bruises on her face and her pale skin seemed to glisten beneath the amber lighting. It was her, the subject of weeks and weeks of research and surveillance. She had held the key to a grand plan of revenge and retribution. Now here she was in his home, in his father's bed; she was just what Earl needed to prove his worth to a twisted friendship and loyalty.
"See, see, she's home! Your mother, she's come back to us!" Obie whispered.
"Pops, what have you done?"
"I found her; she was just wandering around in the snow! I guess she was trying to find her way back home!"
"Pops, mom is dead! She's been dead for five years! This isn't..."
"...possible? I know, I know but it is! She's right there, here just like before!"
"But...this isn't..."
Without another word, Obie pulled Earl from the room and back down the hall to the front of the house.
"We mustn't wake her! She's been through quite an ordeal. You can talk to her in the morning, okay?"
"Yeah, oh...oh-okay, Pops, in the morning."
"Now, it's late, go to bed son and I'll see you in the morning."
Without another word, Obie rushed down the hall to the guest room and closed the door leaving Earl standing in the middle of the floor alone. He couldn't believe his luck and without another thought, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a familiar number.