"Okay, Rossi, let's hear what you found." It was ten days later and the BAU team (sans Cruz) was again gathered in the conference room. The team members who had traveled with Cruz to the mid-west had quickly resolved the case in question and made it back to Quantico in record time. However, it had taken Rossi considerably longer to track down the people he was interested in speaking with.
"I am fairly certain that this is the same group of mercenaries who grabbed Hotch," Rossi began his report. "For one thing, the boat they docked at both of the marinas was named The Tagalong and the general description matches the boat in Baltimore. Also, they had the same basic MO as before. They came in, got what they wanted, and then quickly left again. They barely talked to anyone and no one got a really clear look at them. Plus, they definitely knew how to avoid any security cameras."
"What did you get, Rossi?" Morgan asked.
"The money they used to pay for both purchases was old and well-used," Rossi reported. "As was the cash they used to pay at the marinas. And, it didn't track back to any particular bank or government mint. It also was a real hodge-podge of denominations, everything from ones to fifties."
"Finger prints?" Lewis asked.
"Nothing identifiable and no traces of illegal drugs on the bills," Rossi shook his head. "And while stolen vehicles were used in both cases to cart off their purchases, they didn't leave any fingerprints behind in the vehicles either."
"What about – " JJ was thinking hard. "At the marinas. Did they leave any evidence behind there?"
"Any trash they may have dumped was long gone by the time I arrived on the scene," Rossi reported. "However, I did get copies of the paperwork they filled out when they rented each boat slip and the handwriting does appear to be the same as in Baltimore."
"And, yes, I checked with Jack Garret and his team to see if they were aware of any similar purchases throughout the Caribbean islands," he added. "They didn't know of any but promised to talk to their contacts and see what they could find out."
"So, we are back to square zero," Morgan groaned.
"Not necessarily," Reid replied. "The fact that they are making purchases like this indicates that there is a group of people, men, women and children, living somewhere and they are being supplied with clothing and toys. That improves the chances that Hotch and the others are still alive. We just don't know where they are."
"No one noticed which direction they sailed off in," Rossi told the group. "But that wouldn't matter if they were meeting up with a larger boat somewhere over the horizon."
"Satellite Imaging!" Garcia suddenly exclaimed. "I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. Let me get with Monty and see what he can suggest – He uses it much more than I do. We might even be able to spot the boats."
"Good idea Baby Girl," Morgan cheered. "I just know you'll find something!"