Disclaimer: Anything familiar belongs to JE and the creators of Criminal Minds.

Warning: Adult language, adult situations

Chapter 77: Saturday, September 3rd, 0900-1200

Trenton

Connie's POV

I haven't heard from Terry or Dickie since Tuesday, which is unusual. We still have a baby to get rid of, and she is the one to approve all adoptions. I've tried calling their cellphones, their home phones, and any other number I can find, but still no response. Maybe there was a hold up with the paperwork for the kid they were bringing down to Florida. We have had some delays with Florida adoptions.

We have had a few inquiries for the remaining child. I decide to do a search on some of the prospective parents. The first three don't have sufficient means to adopt a child from us. However, the fourth couple seems perfect. They definitely have the money, the home, and the desire for secrecy. When I run them, I don't find anything unusual. The father had a DWI charge back when he was nineteen, but other than that slap on the wrist, he's been on the straight and narrow. The mother is clear. I make the executive decision to approve this adoption and send all the information to the contact.

I went and got the kid last night, and today, I'm heading to the drop off location. It is about forty minutes from Trenton in Pennsylvania. I have the kid, the paperwork, and the receipts for the wired money. Just as I'm about to leave the house, the doors get kicked open. I'm in total shock and don't even have time to pull my gun.

"FBI, freeze. Connie Rizzoli, please put your hands up and don't move." I hear someone yell at me. I comply with their request. I'm not stupid. One thing that my dad taught me is to obey law enforcement. It's easier to beat a charge if you are cooperative than if you are hostile.

A Hispanic agent comes over to me, taking my arms and cuffing them behind my back. "Connie Rizzoli, you are under arrest for human trafficking, exploitation of children, kidnapping, fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder." He continues by reading me my Miranda rights. Other agents take the kid, while my bags and the house are searched. Fuck! How did they find out about us?

I get hustled into the back of a police cruiser by Eddy Gazarra and Carl Constanza. They are looking at me with disgust. Why me? Once we get down to TPD, I get escorted to an interview room. I'm not stupid, so I immediately invoke my right to an attorney. The allow me to call my attorney, Dickie Orr, but he's not picking up, and his receptionist said he's out of town. What the fuck! I calm down and dial my dad's attorney, Carmine Milano. I tell him where I am, and he informs me that he'll be here within the half hour. Once he arrives, I give him the whole story, putting all the blame on Terry and Dickie. I weave a story of how they blackmailed me into going along, that I had no choice. He, being a stupid old guido, believes me. Now, to charm the FBI. He called the agents into the interview room.

"My client is ready to speak to you. Please know that if you don't cooperate, neither will we."

They nod their heads, then introduce themselves. "My name is Supervisor Special Agent Luke Alvez, and this is Supervisor Special Agent Tara Lewis."

"Carmine Milano, attorney for Ms. Rizzoli."

Agent Lewis starts the questioning. "Ms. Rizzoli, what were you doing with the baby?"

"I was babysitting."

"Really, for whom?" Questions Alvez.

"My neighbor. She had to go to the doctor's office."

"You don't say. Why didn't you call your neighbor to inform her that her child is in the custody of TPD and CPS?" Lewis asks.

"I figured you would."

"How would we know how to contact her? The child is too young to tell us, and she left no information behind. There's nothing on your fridge, your phone, or your computer to indicate who this woman is. Do you want to try your answer again?" Alvez inquires.

I gulp, realizing that they must have Terry and Dickie, which means they are going to try to flip on me, to get me out of the way. No, that won't be happening. I decided to cut my losses and confess to everything. However, first, I speak with my attorney to see if I can get some kind of immunity. The FBI agreed to drop all the charges except for the charges against children. I'll still probably have to go to jail, but at least it won't be for as long as Terry and Dickie. Once they finish questioning me, I'm allowed to make another phone call. I decided to call my Dad.

Once I explain what happened, he got deadly silent. "How dare you disrespect and disgrace our family by hurting another family. I, I don't know who you are. You will be on a plane to Italy inside of a week.

Wait, Italy is too good for you. You are dead to me, Concetta. I will tell Vinnie and Les not to bail you out. You belong in jail." My father told me. I try to hold back the tears until I'm by myself, but I can't get everyone to leave me alone. Why me?

A couple of hours later, the FBI is back to take me into federal custody. I'm scared. My dad and Uncle have a lot of bad blood between them and other families. I know I'll be spending all my time looking over my shoulder, trying to identify a treat. Why did I ever get involved with Terry and Dickie? I should have listened to my conscience when I had a chance.

TNTCE

A/N: Here is a little bonus chapter. I have FINALLY finished writing "The Night That Changed Everything." The final three chapters are with Susan for her critical lens review. So, that means that by this time next week, you will have the ending. I would like to thank everyone for their reviews, and I will try to respond to some of them this week. I hope you enjoy the conclusion to Part 1 of this trilogy.

As always, thank you, Susan, for finding my mistakes. You rock.