"Five thirty nine, we have visitors," Commander announced to the young man sitting in the office to the right of the foyer.
"So I see," was the response. "Why don't you go in?" he nodded towards the inner door. "And I'll get some more chairs for you."
"Thanks," Commander knocked on the door and then pushed it open. "Mistress, we have visitors," he announced as he led the way through the door.
"You, Reid, and Lewis wait out here," Cruz hissed to Morgan, who rewarded him with a glare. "Rossi and JJ will be going in with me."
"Whoever we are going to be talking with, we don't want to overwhelm them," JJ hurriedly explained.
"Don't worry, we will be getting an answer about Hotch," Rossi assured Morgan. "One way or the other."
When Cruz, JJ, and Rossi joined the island's owners in the next room, Commander was speaking to an older woman sitting behind a large wooden desk at the far end of the room.
"Mistress, these are the other owners of H & J who have come for a visit," he told her. "We have here Ron Hartnell, Wayne Hayward, and George Hughes, along with their assistants David Rossi, Matt Cruz, Jennifer Jareau - " He stopped and looked towards the door.
"I didn't think it was necessary for everyone to come in," Cruz supplied. "The others, Derek Morgan, Spencer Reid, and Tara Lewis, can wait outside with your assistant."
"Well, I am Mistress, and I am the Manager of Farm #3," the woman smiled at them as she stood up and walked around her desk. "And it is indeed a pleasure to finally meet you. Let me welcome you to Hutchens Island."
She looked around the room. "We need some more chairs," she declared.
"Five thirty nine is bringing them," Commander told her.
"Five thirty nine?" Rossi questioned.
"My assistant," was the explanation. "You came by him in the outer office."
"Here we go," 539 came through the door carrying a chair in each hand. "This should give you enough for everyone." He set the chairs down next to a seating group in the corner of the office.
"Now, would anyone like something to drink?" he offered. "I believe the kitchen just made some fresh lemonade." He looked around expectantly.
"Fresh lemonade?" Wayne Hayward echoed. "That sounds good. I think I would like some."
"Why don't you bring us all some?" Mistress suggested. "And also some scones or cookies or whatever the kitchen has available."
"I'll be right back," 539 promised as he scurried out the door.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Morgan and Lewis readily volunteered to accompany 539 to pick up the promised refreshments while Reid remained behind in the outer office.
"You don't seem surprised to see us," Morgan observed as they walked down the flagstone path.
"Well, in the past Mr. Jewell has always arrived unexpectedly," 539 told him. "And we always figured that one day the other owners of H & J would drop in too. It was just a question of when."
"And, I want to thank you for helping me with this," he continued. "I would have had to get some of the kitchen staff to help carry everything back and this is their busy time."
"Busy time?" Lewis asked curiously.
"They are cleaning up after breakfast and getting ready for lunch," was the explanation. "Everyone is busy running in every which direction."
"Here we are." They had arrived at the back of a large wooden building and 539 pulled the door open for them to step through.
"Good heavens, this kitchen is huge," Lewis exclaimed as she walked into the cooking area. "How many people do you feed?"
"About 57 adults and 15 children and adolescents," 502 walked over to answer her. "And, believe me, some of our farm workers can really put it away!" She chuckled.
"I'm 502," she introduced herself. "And I'm in charge of the kitchen."
She turned to 539. "And what can I do for you?" she asked him.
"Lemonade for – " he paused for a minute to think. "Twelve and some sweet rolls or cookies - Whatever you have will be fine."
"I've been expecting you," 502 told him with a smile. "Ever since I heard that some strangers had landed at the dock. I just wasn't sure how many people there were. Scones and cookies are being put onto plates for you, and the lemonade will be ready in a minute. Now, I assume the same number for lunch?"
"Make it fourteen extra," 539 told her. "There are a couple of people down on the dock with the boats and I assume they will be eating lunch with us also."
"Not a problem," was the cheerful response. "Just let me know whether you will be eating at the house or in the dinning hall and I'll have everything ready for you."
"Everyone on the farm eats in here?" Morgan was peering through the door into the dining area.
"For breakfast and dinner, yes," 502 told him. "However, some of the workers who are going to be spending the day at a distance from the main buildings take their lunches with them. It saves them from having to walk back and forth."
"But at dinner time everyone should be here," Morgan wanted to make sure.
"If they are hungry, I can guarantee you they will be here," 502 assured him.