After touring New Horizons Academy and speaking with several members of the staff, Hotch agreed that it did appear to be a good school for Jack.
"It's not as structured as I would like," he told Rossi. "But Jack is much happier there and he appears to be enjoying his studies."
"You have to remember that you went to a military academy," Rossi pointed out. "All you know is structure. Jack's not like you; he doesn't need a lot of structure. And, from what I have seen of that young man, he is going to do just fine at this new school."
"My father sent me to a military academy to get me out of his hair," Hotch reported ruefully. "And I would never do that to Jack. So, if New Horizons is where he wants to go to school, I am willing to give it a chance and see what happens."
"You're a good man, Aaron Hotchner," Rossi declared as he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "A very good man."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Jack effortlessly settled into his new school and was soon working hard to master the material required for his various classes.
"The work is harder," he reported when Hotch asked. "But I have a lot more freedom to check out things that interest me, if you know what I mean. And, there is always someone there to help me out and point me in the right direction if I get stuck."
"I am glad to hear that," Hotch told him. "I know how frustrating it is when you know that the answer is right there in front of you but you just can't find it."
"That's what you have your team for," Jack smiled happily. "And, now, I have a team, too."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Fall flew by and soon it was time for the traditional yearly Thanksgiving dinner at Rossi's, followed by the annual Hotchner Family Business Meeting and Thanksgiving Extravaganza. As Hotch, accompanied by Lynn and Lilly, walked into the room at the country club where the Meet and Greet was being held, he looked around anxiously.
"Do you see Jack anywhere?" he asked Lynn. "Jessica was fully aware that he was to be here by now."
"Still having problems with your sister-in-law?" a familiar voice inquired.
"Jeremiah," Hotch greeted his cousin. "It's good to see you."
"You, too," the man replied as they hugged. "And, not to worry. Jack just texted one of my guys that he is on his way. It seems that Jessica was reluctant to leave the Brooks family gathering and Jack had to remind her several times that he needs to be here."
"Good Morning, Aaron and Lynn – and Lilly, too," Lisette caroled as she and Mia walked over to greet them. "It's good to see all of you! But, where's Jacob?"
"Jacob is spending several days with Spencer and Penelope," Lynn explained. "Apparently they have quite an agenda lined up for him, including several Skype sessions with his father. As he's not a Hotchner, I figured that he doesn't need to be here."
"Understood," Lisette said as she reached to take Lilly out of Lynn's arms. "And how are you doing, Young Lady?" she cooed as Lilly smiled and babbled at her.
"Let me, Mom," Mia interrupted as she reached for Lilly. "Hi Aunt Lynn!" she greeted her aunt.
"I hope you don't mind if I take Lilly," Mia continued. "Several of the younger cousins are working on their babysitting badges for Girl Scouts and they have a nursery set up in one of the smaller rooms where I am going to be helping them entertain the kids."
"Go right ahead," Lynn laughed. "I'll be here if you need me. And, I'm sure you are going to need this, too." She took the diaper bag off her shoulder and handed it to Mia.
"Thanks!" Mia sang out as she headed off. "Mom knows where to find us if you want to check on Lilly."
"And you are coming over here with me," Lisette began leading Lynn towards a table where several other women were already sitting. "We want to hear all about this new school you found for Jack. While I don't think it would be right for my two livewires, they are more of the military academy type, I do think it might be a good fit for Mia."
"Well, if you are interested, the school is holding an open house just before the start of the winter holidays," Lynn volunteered. "You would be welcome to come and look around."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"I understand the lawsuits have started," Jeremiah observed quietly to Hotch as they headed towards the buffet tables.
"Yes," Hotch sighed. Quite frankly, I'm surprised it took so long."
"Nobody wanted to go first," was Jeremiah's opinion. "They were all afraid they might miss out on some benefit that a later litigant might get from Trans-Caribbean Development."
"That's what I think," Hotch agreed. "Plus, from what I understand, Trans-Caribbean has a top notch group of lawyers and anyone who takes them on would need to be equally as qualified."
"Can you tell us any of the details about the case?" another cousin joined them as they browsed the appetizers.
"And, by the way," he added. "I promised Jack that I would tell you that he has arrived. I just rescued him from his aunt out in the parking lot and walked in with him."
"Thanks, Marcus," Hotch replied. "I was starting to worry. Jessica can be rather – Well, you know all about that." He grimaced.
"Anyway, on the surface this case doesn't seem to be to be all that strong," he continued. "It's a wrongful death suit involving a man who was among the few to voluntarily leave the island. He had only been there for about six months, but arrangements were still made for him to undergo a complete medical examination when he arrived in Puerto Rico, including an overnight stay in the hospital. Apparently he had had an alcohol abuse problem before arriving on the island and, the first opportunity he got, he walked out of the hospital and went in search of a drink."
"After the bartender at the first establishment refused to serve him anymore, he left there, presumably to search of another bar. Apparently, he wasn't paying attention to the traffic when he attempted to cross in the middle of the street and was hit by a car. He was DOA at the hospital – Ironically the same one he had just walked out of. His family, who never bothered to report him missing in the first place, is suing Trans-Caribbean, the hospital, the bar, the bartender, the driver of the car that hit him, and probably several other entities that I don't know about."
"It sounds to me like they are just throwing mud at the wall to see where it sticks," Marcus observed sagely. "My guess is that they are just looking for a payoff of some sort."
"You knew this man?" Jeremiah asked.
"I never met him," Hotch replied. "He was living on Farm #1. I think I am being called as a witness because I am familiar with the court system and, presumably, won't be intimidated by being in a courtroom surrounded by lawyers. Also, at one time I did suggest that the island functioned as an unconventional rehab center for various additions."
"There is that aspect of it," Marcus said thoughtfully. "However, no one is responsible for an individual's actions if they voluntarily leave the treatment center. It should be an interesting case and I'll be curious to see how it turns out."