TITLE: Criminal Minds – "Darkest Days" (A sequel to Behind the Mask)
AUTHOR: D M Harper
SUMMARY: Agent Prentiss is forced to face her secretive past when it threatens the safety of her BAU colleagues and her beloved family.
RATING: For Mature Readers.
DISCLAIMER: This story was conjured up for reading entertainment only. No money has exchanged hands or bank accounts. There is no profit gained, just fancy flights of imagination. There is no intention to infringe on the copyright of CBS Television Studios or creator Jeff Davis. This writing does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will; hence you have no one to whine to except yourself or a parent if you are caught, so bugger off!
A/N: Please find them time to review and feed the Muse. A thank you to those who have.
Chapter 28
Sunday 9th May, 2012
Jillian walked out onto the back porch to advise Emily the twins were finally asleep after perusing two books, but she was disappointed when her wife was absent. A quick scan of the immediate area found the brunette sitting atop the bottom step of the cubby house.
With baby monitor in hand, Jillian made her way down the stairs and along the vast lawn. She caught a glimpse of the distant expression on Emily's face as she drew near and cringed. During the past month she had witnessed the look too many times to be content with ignoring the troubling, far away glare any longer. Jillian had been overwhelmed by the way Emily had quickly readjusted to her old life since her return from Greece and their reconciliation, but tiny fissures had begun to appear upon Emily's features and Jillian was downright too scared of what was behind the subtle vicissitudes.
Coming to a stop several inches from her wife; Jillian reached down and lovingly raked the fingers of her left hand through the top of jet black hair.
Without speaking, Emily placed her right hand over Jillian's and intertwined their digits, pulling downwards.
Taking up the invitation, Jillian eased herself onto the wooden step and draped an arm around Emily's shoulders. "I'm ready to listen when you want to talk," she offered in a soft monotone.
Leaning in, Emily nuzzled her head into the crook of the blonde's arm, "Aww, I'm fine."
"I don't think so Em, you just used your "tell".
Lifting her head, Emily gazed into blue orbs, "I have a "tell"?"
Smirking at the question, Jillian gently hooked several strands of hair behind Emily's right ear, "Actually you have two besides chewing your nails. When you are mulling over something in depth, you drag the side of your hair over your ear."
"I never realised I did that."
"And when you attempt to avoid discussing a matter by being a little dishonest with your reply, you begin the sentence with an "aww"."
"I can't get too much past you, can I?" noted Emily with a slight grin.
"No, but I want you to know I am here for you. I also realise you have been struggling with something for over four weeks."
Tears rose in Emily's eyes before she spoke, "It's nothing to worry about sweetie and Doctor Merrill is helping me work through it."
"I know you have issues you are still dealing with Em, but I wish you could talk to me about them too."
The comment made Emily's tears overflow and Jillian's heart constricted with fear. She hesitantly enquired while pulling back, "Oh my god is this about us? Do you regret coming home to me?"
Shock registered on Emily's face, "Good god no Jill."
The words didn't alleviate the dread and panic stabbing Jillian's chest as she asked, "Then why can't you discuss it with me?"
"I don't want to hurt you again."
"Then it is about us?" demanded Jillian as she stood then moved away.
"Jill wait," pleaded Emily while getting to her feet.
Spinning around, Jillian apologised, "I'm sorry that was uncalled for."
Emily placed a hand on either side of Jillian's hips and drew her closer, "I know this is frustrating for you and I love you for being so patient while I sort out my feelings."
"Do you need space?"
"No, I need you by my side."
Sighing, Jillian asked, "So we are okay?"
"You have my word sweetheart."
Relaxing, Jillian pecked her wife on the nose, "I love you."
"I love you so much Jill and I promise to disclose my next session with Doctor Merrill with you."
"I'd like that Emily," replied Jillian before planting another kiss on the tip of her nose.
"Do you want to join me in the shower?" asked a grinning Emily.
"Yes and when I informed Jarrod there wasn't going to be a third bedtime story, he said "shit"."
Giggling, Emily took hold of Jillian's left hand and led her towards the backstairs, "He gets that from you."
Watching her wife's jeans encased backside climb the steps, Jillian lost all cognitive thought and groaned.
Turning around, Emily stared at dilated pupils and enquired, "Did you hear me?"
Broken from her trance, Jillian answered with a goofy grin and placed the monitor on the outdoor table. She inched closer and crushed her lips to Emily's. The force pushed the older woman against the backdoor with a soft thud. She grunted when Jillian slipped hands inside her blue button down shirt and covered her breasts. Deepening the kiss, Jillian ferociously duelled with Emily's tongue and her arousal intensified.
Coming up for breath minutes later, she locked eyes with Emily and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" asked a somewhat bewildered brunette.
Pointing to the monitor, Jillian explained, "Listen, our son is eavesdropping."
Grinning, Emily turned her attention to the audio device.
"Kiss, kiss," repeated Jarrod before making a smacking sound with his lips.
"That's what we get for making out under the nursery window," admitted a now tittering Emily.
Pressing soft lips to Emily's throat and resuming caressing firm breasts, Jillian purred, "We better take this to the bathroom before he applauds."
With a guttural whimper, Emily closed her eyes and surrendered to her wife's skilled hands, "Jill, I love you."
"I'm so happy that you do," panted out Jillian as Jarrod said, "Night, night."
Any forthcoming response was nullified as Emily seized Jillian's mouth in a blistering kiss. Forgetting about the suggestion of a shower, Jillian slipped her thumbs under the lace bra and palmed stiff nipples. She teased the living daylights out of the small buds as Emily removed her black tee shirt and sports bra. With tender touches, she kneaded the taunt muscles criss-crossing her lover's back.
Breaking the contact, Jillian smiled devilishly and yanked off Emily's shirt and bra in one fluid motion. Her eyes focused on the exposed swells of pure perfection and she gasped, "Beautiful baby just beautiful." She bent her knees and captured a pebbled areola and teat in her mouth.
"Oh shit sweetie, that feels so good," cooed Emily with more than a hint of delight in her voice.
Engrossed in their love making, neither woman heard the word "shit" echo on the monitor or the enthusiastic clapping.
Minutes ticked by as Jillian savoured every inch of Emily's bosom before a change in position found her being orally attacked by eager lips. Her hands played with Emily's hair as masterful tongue strokes escalated her need for a release.
Emily left her wife's lips and pecked down the column of her neck then over the curve of strong shoulders. Leisurely, she kissed her way towards hardened nipples and she lingered there while Jillian held on tightly to her head. A short time passed and she knelt down and grazed her tongue over the rippled muscles of her lover's stomach. Hooking her thumbs under the waistband of Jillian's underpants and shorts, she was offered assistance and they both slid the apparel to the decking.
Jillian stepped out of them and her head fell back and hit the door when fingers separated the folds of her labia and two digits entered. A warm tongue engulfed her hard, throbbing clitoris and she swooned, "Ahh god Em, right there."
Emily felt her own wetness flow down her inner thighs as she manipulated the parcel of tiny nerve endings and inner node. She groaned loudly when her ministrations were rewarded with a squirt of warm fluid and a primeval scream from above. Lapping up her wife's essence, Emily brought her to liberty one more time then stood.
A dazed Jillian wrapped her arms around Emily and lifted her up. She walked over to the table and slowly lowered her wife. With deft skill, she had Emily naked within seconds and spreadeagle on the edge of the wooden furniture. Taking her time to admire the glistening mound before her, Jillian leaned over and captured the puffy labia between her lips.
Emily's body jerked in response and she gripped the sides of the table firmly. She held on for dear life as Jillian bestowed her with the softest combination of licks, suckles, gentle blows and kisses.
A quarter of an hour elapsed before Jillian introduced an index finger to the rim of Emil's opening and then lazily stroked along the silken passage of the perineum.
"Love you Jill," muttered Emily as wave after wave of pleasure washed over her.
In reply, two fingers joined the other and languidly filled her. Hips rose off the table and Jillian absorbed the erect, pulsating clitoris with deep suckles. This proved to be Emily's undoing as her climax took her to the precipice of oblivion and gently pushed her over. Tremors shook her very core and tears pricked the back of her eyes.
Jillian unrelentingly pumped her fingers in and out in a scissoring motion and inner muscles clamped down again seconds later. Emily orgasmed swiftly and Jillian reached up and soothed her lover's hip as aftershocks caused her to bear down on her now static digits.
Once Emily's frame stopped convulsing, Jillian straightened up and looked down at her serene face. "How about we have that shower now?" she suggested as her wife's eyelids fluttered open.
"Yes please and that was amazing."
Withdrawing her fingers, Jillian reached out for Emily's right hand, "That was only the foreplay baby."
"Oh my," replied a heavy breathing Emily while snatching the baby monitor off the table. "I just love Sunday nights at home."
-o-
Monday 14th May, 2012
After the Team crowed over Jennifer and Will's impromptu wedding ceremony and Seaver's departure to Andi Swann's Domestic Trafficking Task Force send-off held at Dave's home Saturday night; Garcia got straight down to business and enquired, "Jill, do you have any idea why Hotch asked to speak with Emily in private?"
"No and Emily was a little guarded during the trip in this morning."
Derek shook his head and placed a hand on Jillian's left shoulder, "It might have something to do with the fact Clyde Easter walked into Hotch's office five minutes before Emily did."
It didn't take a genius to figure out Jillian was not pleased with that titbit of information; she exploded, "What does he want? Hasn't that bastard caused enough heartache around here?"
Spencer was first to answer, "Well, he did assist with the identification of the Queen of Diamonds during the bank robbery case. Maybe he is here to discuss the outcome and it was Emily who contacted him after all."
"Sure he helped with recognising Izzy Rodgers," conceded Jillian. "But that was last week and doesn't explain why we are locked out of the meeting."
"I'll go find out what Strauss knows," offered Dave while making his way out of the bullpen.
Garcia chuckled briefly before pointing out the obvious, "Is it just me, or has Dave been spending a lot of time in her office lately?"
"Baby Girl," began Derek. "The two of them hooking up is old news."
"Say what?" exclaimed Penelope with raised brows.
"Dave has been dating Erin for couple of weeks," replied Derek.
"Well Holy Mother Trucker, I did not see that coming."
Jillian commiserated with her friend, "Neither did I Pen and it looks like Hotch's door is opening. Reid, can you read anything from your angle?"
"Emily said, "I'll give it some thought and it was good to see you again"."
Seething, Jillian silently observed the head of Interpol embrace her wife and exchange a kiss on the cheek.
Her hands formed into fists and Derek reacted, "Easy girl, this is not the time or place."
Turning away, Jillian snarled, "And when would it be a good time Morgan? The man was instrumental in the whole Doyle debacle and the reason behind Emily nearly dying."
"I hear you, but it wouldn't look too good if you attacked him here."
"Jesus, he helped us out and now he's a fucking saint," complained the blonde while collecting her ready bag from under her work station. "I'll see you guys later; I have my yearly testing to attend."
"Yearly?" queried Garcia as Jillian raced out the rear exit.
Reid turned to her and explained, "Jillian has to pass a mandatory physical every year until next year due to her knee injury."
"Gotcha and here comes Emily and Hotch."
"Where are Dave and Jillian?" enquired Aaron once he joined the others.
Derek looked at Emily and answered, "Jill's gone to her physical and Dave went to Strauss' office."
"Ahh right, in that case, we are wheels up in sixty and I'll go collect Dave. We have a new case in North Platte, Nebraska that I will present once we are in the air. Garcia, you're with me."
"Right Boss, I'm right behind you."
Once Derek was left alone with Emily, he asked, "What did your buddy Easter want?"
Without making eye contact, the brunette replied, "To officially offer me a job."
"What now?" To say Morgan was stunned by the comment was an underestimation.
Glancing at her partner, Emily spoke honestly, "Clyde suggested I head up the London Office during a phone conversation we had during the Face Card case. I didn't realise he was serious until he called me back on Saturday."
"Is that what you were discussing with Hotch at Dave's?"
"Yes."
"Jesus Prentiss, you can't be seriously considering working under him again after all you've been through?"
"Aww, I don't know."
"Oh shit, Jill doesn't know, does she?"
"No, I haven't spoken to her yet."
Disillusioned with the news, Derek probed for more, "I thought everything was good between you and Jill?"
With watering eyes, Emily responded, "To tell you the truth, I've had a hard time settling back into my old life this past year."
"Crap Em, why didn't you say something sooner?"
"I didn't know how to. I am so conflicted at the moment and absolutely petrified of disappointing everyone, especially Jillian."
"Girl, I can't begin to understand how you've coped with all that has happened, but I'll always be your friend no matter what you choose to do."
"That means a lot to me Derek," replied a now weepy Emily. "You're my best friend."
Pulling her into his chest, Morgan gave warning, "Don't you dare cry Prentiss."
"I won't and was Jillian pissed at seeing Clyde?"
"The woman wanted to beat him down real bad."
"Shit, I wanted to tell her I invited him to dinner on Friday."
Jumping back, Derek remonstrated, "You did what?"
"I thought it might help if Jillian saw another side to Clyde and understood his motives during my time with Interpol."
"I think you should have talked to Jill beforehand. She was pretty upset when she stormed out of here earlier."
"Damn it," grumbled Emily.
"It's too late now to worry about it."
"I guess I will have to wait until later," lamented Emily reluctantly.
-o-
The BAU members already assembled on the jet looked up when Jillian causally strolled down the aisle and handed Aaron an envelope. "Fully fit for duty Sir," she declared before taking a seat next to Garcia.
"Glad you could make it in time and well done Rolston," replied a smiling Unit Chief as the pilot prepared for take-off.
Jillian nodded then paid attention as he outlined the details of cases involving the abduction, torture and murder of Addison Morrow, twenty eight, and Christian Abbey, twenty six. The men were partners in an IT business with a net worth of sixty million dollars and a profit margin of eight million per annum. Their bodies had been located by police within two hours of each other; the first twenty four hours ago.
"Why did local authorities ask for our assistance," enquired Reid.
"Physical and trace evidence was not present at both kill sites, but method of abduction, type of torture, choice of weapon and method of killing is identical," answered Hotch. "The North Platte Police Department is currently working three other homicides that are unrelated and are undermanned to handle this double murder."
"Apart from the business angle, is there any other connection between the two victims?" asked Morgan.
"None that we are aware of presently; both Morrow and Abby attended different schools and don't appear to have socialised outside of business hours." Hotch flipped his index finger over his tablet screen and continued with the review, "If you turn to the Medical Examiner's Report, you'll see the two men were restrained at the wrists and ankles to a dining chair with nylon rope.
"Aww Jesus!" exclaimed Emily with disgust.
"Their eyes and tongues were cut out and their ears removed," pointed out Dave.
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," quoted Reid while examining the pictures more closely.
Derek rubbed his chin before commenting, "That's a solid theory and the UNSUB was definitely sending a message."
"If the only link is the business, then that is where we start," put forth Hotch. "At this stage of the investigation, it's the only thing that ties the two victims together. Garcia, we'll need financial records for the company as well as each victim."
"On it Boss."
"The business has twenty employees. Dave and Jillian, I want you to interview each of them as soon as we brief the local Police. Derek and Emily, you have Morrow's family and with J.J. on her honeymoon, I'll team up with Reid and speak with Abby's next of kin. Profile anyone?"
Derek glanced up from his computer, "Both Vics received blunt force trauma to the left side of the jaw which suggests a right handed UNSUB who knew them well enough to get into their personal space and deliver the blow. There had to have been significant strength behind the strike to cause this amount of damage and render them unconscious, so I'd say we are looking for a male assailant with a connection to the business. Scene photos show the men were dragged afterwards to the chairs and considering their weight, it would have been virtually impossible for a woman to carry out the moving."
Pondering for a moment, Reid added, "The wounds to the victims indicate the UNSUB was somehow personally wronged by them and sought the ultimate revenge. Possibly a worker who offered advice and was ignored or his work was not recognised as his own."
"Good points," praised Hotch as Jillian's phone vibrated with a message alert.
While the others continued to construct a profile, she reached into her trouser pocket and retrieved the phone. Looking at the screen, Jillian viewed the missive from Erin: Call A-Sap, we need to talk. Deleting the request, she noticed the team was fully engrossed in conversation, so she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of her seat.
Walking into the galley, Jillian called Erin.
After two rings, the Section Chief answered, "I assume you are still in the air."
"Yes ma'am."
"Then phone me back once you are alone and can talk freely."
"Yes ma'am."
"Oh for Christ's sake, don't be so bloody formal Jill."
"Sorry, it's just easier to stay in work mode at the moment."
"I understand and will speak with you soon."
"You will, bye."
Pocketing the phone, Jillian took her time to collect a bottle of water in an attempt to wash down the knot that was firmly entrenched in her chest. Since seeing Easter and pairing it together with Emily's recent demeanour, she couldn't help but assume her wife had been asked to participate in some assignment for Interpol. It wasn't so much that Emily might accept the request, it was more a case of her obviously having been approached earlier and failing to mention it. After all the heartbreak and unnecessary pain, Emily was still keeping things from Jillian and that was what cut the deepest.
Finishing her drink, Jillian disposed of the plastic container and called her parents. She spoke with them for nearly an hour before returning to her seat and receiving a questioning glare from Garcia. Putting up her left hand, she remarked, "Don't ask, I probably know less than you do."
"Okay my Blonde Bombshell; just remember I am here for you."
"I know and thank you."
Jillian busied herself with reading the two case files for the next hour and alighted from the plane before the others. Taking the wheel of the nearest Suburban, she patiently waited for Dave, Reid and Garcia to join her.
Silently, she drove to the North Platte Police Department situated at 701 South Jeffers Road and pulled into a vacant parking space.
After grouping with the remaining team members, Jillian followed them into the building and was taken aback when a familiar hand cupped her right buttock and lightly squeezed. With everything that was happening, she somehow felt reassured by the playful taunt. Turning her head, she grinned at her smiling wife and her heart sang when Emily spoke in a hushed tone.
"I love you Agent Gorgeous and we'll talk tonight."
Tears welled in Jillian's eyes and she whispered, "I love you too Agent Sexy." Switching back into professional mode, she concentrated on the introductions and subsequent briefing by Chief Ronald Crowe.
Once the meeting was over, Jillian teamed up with Dave and the pair worked their way through the list of employees.
-o-
It was after 1900 hours when the BAU reassembled at the Police Station and Hotch began his debrief. Twenty minutes later, all current employees had been eliminated as suspects as had the family members of the two victims.
Aaron passed Dave and Morgan a sheet of paper, "Rossi, you and Rolston look into past employees in the morning while Morgan and Prentiss check into disgruntled clients."
"There are over fifty names here," noted Dave with a frown.
"Reid and I have a list of forty," explained Hotch. "It seems Infinity IT had a high employee turnover until six months ago."
"Yeah," agreed Jillian. "We were told the ex-manager, a guy by the name of Jaden Wright was hard to work for and he was eventually fired due to a lack of interpersonal skills."
Rossi handed her the page, "He's first on our list; should be an interesting conversation."
"Sounds promising," commented Hotch. "Okay people, we'll start afresh tomorrow at 0830 hours and Rossi is buying dinner."
"I am?" queried a surprised Dave.
"It's your turn Mister Famous Best Selling Author."
Chuckling, the Senior Agent patted Aaron on the back, "I was hoping you'd forgotten I was up to bat."
Reid smiled at him, "There's not much chance of that happening. Garcia keeps a record and Jillian and I never fail to recall."
"Thanks for the reminder Boy Genius," countered Dave while collecting his belongings and heading for the exit.
Everyone laughed before departing the Police Station in good spirits.
-o-
Three minutes later, the two SUVs drove into the drive of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel on Holiday Frontage Road. Aaron and Dave collected the key cards from Reception while Jillian and Derek secured the vehicles in the car park.
When the Senior Agents returned, Morgan and Reid were advised they were sharing a room, as were Jillian and Emily. Hotch, Rossi and Garcia were delighted to have single rooms and by the look Derek gave Penelope, Jillian suspected the pair had finally begun a relationship.
Kevin and Garcia had parted ways some two months earlier when an unfavourable marriage proposal went south and Jillian made a mental note to quiz the computer magician when they had a private moment. A smile spread across her face and Emily quirked an eyebrow her way.
"Meet you all in the restaurant at 2030 hours," instructed Aaron.
"Yes Boss," chorused the others as they made their way to their respective rooms.
"What are you grinning at?" asked Emily the second she opened the room door.
"I think Derek and Penelope are a couple."
"Say what now?"
Putting her ready bag on the queen size bed, Jillian waited for Emily to close the door then replied, "Penny gave your partner a cheesy smirk when Hotch told her she had a room to herself, and if I am not mistaken, there was a little show of eye sex going on between them."
Placing her bag beside Jillian's, Emily gushed, "Oh my god, it's taken them seven years to get there and I'm so happy for them."
"I am too and it explains the extra spring in Penny's step."
Looking at her wristwatch, Emily enquired, "Do you want to shower before we eat?"
"No, I'd rather eat, shower then make love to my beautiful wife and have her fall asleep in my arms."
Moving in closer, Emily welcomed Jillian's embrace with a groan, "I like your idea much better and have I told you how great your ass looks in those pants?"
"I kind of picked that up when you groped me at the Police Station."
"If we had time, I'd grope you again, but Dave is paying."
"I'll settle for a kiss instead."
Emily obliged twice and the two laughing Agents exited the room.
-o-
"Hurry up sweetie," pleaded Emily as she pressed into Jillian's back, reached around and cupped her breasts.
"Shit, you are not helping at all with the distractions baby," retorted the blonde as she struggled to open the door. "Got it," she declared triumphantly seconds later.
"Thank goodness for that; I need you so bad."
"I can see that," noted Jillian while Emily continued to caress her bosom. "Go start the shower and I'll stow our equipment."
Letting go, Emily removed her gun and holster from her belt and handed them to Jillian. Next were her phone, badge, pager and handcuff pouch. She was naked by the time she hit the bathroom and Jillian swiftly followed. A giggling Emily grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into the cubicle.
Forty minutes passed before an exhausted Emily curled into wife's side and lazily kissed along the column of throat on offer. The pull of slumber greeted both women and Jillian twitched awake when Emily spoke.
"When we get home I have to tell you something."
"I know, but I'm too tired to discuss it now."
Emily replied with a soft snore and Jillian smiled before drifting off. She jumped out of bed six seconds later when she dreamt of Erin and their earlier phone conversation. Her spouse barely stirred beside her as she pulled on a pair of boxers and a tee shirt. Picking up her phone off the side table, Jillian grabbed a room key and went outside to call Erin.
"Hello Jill," came the reply seconds later.
"Hi, sorry for the late call back."
"It's fine, I was still awake and going over some paperwork."
"I gather you have information on Easter's flyby visit this morning."
"I do. How much do you know?"
"Emily told me we need to talk once this assignment is over, but I suspect Easter asked to borrow her for an undercover operation."
"I was supposed to be in the meeting, but was busy with a call with the Secretary of State's Office and Aaron spoke to me when he came looking for Rossi."
"I see, so am I correct?"
"You're close; Easter offered the job of running the London Office to Emily."
"Son … of … a bitch," seethed Jillian as her free hand clenched into a fist. "And Emily is considering the proposal, I suppose."
"Did she give you any indication she was?"
"No, but Spencer read her lips when she exited Aaron's office and she said she would think about it."
"Maybe she was just being polite to an old friend."
Tears rolled down Jillian's face as she confided, "Emily's been preoccupied and restless for a few weeks, so I think it is a genuine contemplation."
"Don't assume anything until you discuss it with her."
"Erin, last weekend I suggested she bring Sergio home and she insisted the twins were still too young to be around him then she disappeared for an hour while I put the kids to bed."
"Oh, that does sound like she doesn't want to uproot the cat at this stage."
"She loves Sergio and so do the children. When we visit Penny, they are so gentle with him and he loves them in return. Shit, I can't believe Emily is entertaining the idea of moving overseas."
"Would you go with her?"
The words set forth panic, "Fuck, you don't think she'd leave without us, do you?"
"Calm down Jill; Emily wouldn't do that."
"So, she just expects me and the children to pack up and for me to give up my career with the FBI."
"You know, you may be worrying unnecessarily."
"You may be right."
"Get some sleep and be patient."
"I doubt I can sleep, but thanks for the chat Erin."
"You're welcome; I'm just sorry you have to deal with it."
"Before you go, how did you know I didn't know about the offer?"
"Dave mentioned it."
"Oh and how is the dating going?"
"At a slow and pleasant pace thank you very much."
"Good to hear, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Jillian stayed out in the cool night air for several hours while her thoughts raced around inside her head. They collided with common sense, but she cried the entire time until she finally returned to the room.
Dressing in sports attire, she collected her running shoes and raced through the streets of North Platte for three hours.
Once Jillian made it back to the Hotel, she showered then dressed in a pair of black trousers and a white short sleeved buttoned shirt. Before leaving the room, she wrote a note for Emily and left it on the table.
-o-
Emily woke when the alarm sounded at six fifteen and instantly realised Jillian was missing from the bed. She sat up and immediately spotted the yellow note pad on the side table. Picking it up, she read:
Em,
I couldn't sleep, Went to the Police Station to go over the statements again.
See you later.
Love,
Jill.
"Shit," uttered Emily while getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. She quickly showered and dressed in black jeans, boots and a sky blue dress shirt then met the others for breakfast.
At the conclusion of the meal, the Team drove to the Police Station to find Jillian sitting at the table in the area commandeered as their briefing room.
She looked up from the file she was reading and announced, "Morning everyone, I think the prior manager Jaden Wright is our main suspect."
"Why is that?" asked Hotch while placing his briefcase down beside a chair.
Pointing to the coffee machine, Jillian replied, "Java and tea are good to go and I did a little digging into the business's background. Wright was listed as the third partner when the company was originally registered in 2009, but his name mysteriously doesn't appear anywhere after that except as an employee."
Pouring himself a hot beverage, Aaron gave praise, "Excellent work Jill. It certainly raises a question or two."
"There's more," enthused Jillian as she stood then stretched her legs. "Morrow's parents omitted the fact their son married Wright's ex-wife in late 2009. Which just happened to be three months after the business began."
Sitting down with coffee in hand, Dave commented, "That is very interesting news."
"It gets better," remarked Jillian before passing out sheets of paper. "Morrow's wife Marilyn unsuccessfully partitioned the Court for half of Wright's money during their divorce.
Penelope took a seat and began typing away on her laptop while Emily perused the data and noted, "At the time he was worth a cool twelve million dollars and that's some serious incentive for ending the marriage."
Nodding, Jillian continued, "Yes and two weeks before the company was registered, Wright signed a cheque for four million."
"Let me guess," offered Derek. "It was made out to Infinity IT?"
"Correct," answered Jillian. "Something is telling me Wright was brought on board as a silent partner by Morrow with the assistance of Marilyn. Before 2009 Wright had a net worth of twenty four million and he invested heavily with several IT companies. When I accessed his portfolio, I discovered he was expanding his investments."
"Do we have an address on Wright?" inquired Hotch.
"Yes," replied Jillian while tapping on the keyboard of her phone. "I've just sent it to your phone."
"In that case, we concentrate on Wright for the time being and bring him in for questioning. Let's roll people."
"Sir," interrupted Jillian. "I'd like to stay here and delve into the financial records of Marilyn Morrow with Garcia."
"Request granted and good work."
"Thank you Sir." Jillian turned to Penelope as the team left the room and by the time they returned with the main suspect, the pair had established a strong motive for Wright to commit murder.
When presented with the evidence by Morgan and Emily at the commencement of his interview, Wright crumbled and confessed to killing Abbey and Morrow for cutting him out of the business. Revenge was his motivation and the fact Morrow systematically pursued his wife and talked her into persuading Wright to hand over the money in the belief he was an equal partner.
Once Wright realised that was not the case, his anger simmered and he purposely made it difficult for employees to work under his management. When Morrow eventually sacked him, Wright sought out his ex-wife and she tearfully confessed all.
During the record of interview, the average heighted dark haired Subject admitted Marilyn was next on his murder list as she willingly stood by and allowed Morrow to carry out his nefarious scheme. Abbey had also agreed to go along with the plan, even after being friend's with Wright since high school. The man had remained silent when questioned by Wright and in turn became the inspiration for the "hear no evil" part of Wright's twisted vengeance. Marilyn represented the "see no evil" and Morrow the "say no evil". Wright showed no remorse for his action and was nothing but calm when speaking with the two Agents.
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