I'm so glad you are back again Dear Readers! I apologize for how short the last chapter was-I promise a nice long one this time. Thank-you for all of the wonderful reviews and follows and favorites; they make my day!
Chapter 25
Luckily for him, the hospital administrator was given a reprieve from the ire of the BAU's senior agents, as said agents were needed to give statements and otherwise assist the CSI and detective teams in investigating the scene. By the time Morgan returned to the suite to report that both Prentiss and JJ were out of surgery and doing well the various law enforcement professionals had completed their tasks and were packing up to leave, and the coroner's van had already picked up the body.
Considerably calmer than he had been, Hotch turned to face the nervous administrator. "Has security found any answers yet?"
"I'm afraid so" he replied shakily. "It was just reported to me that the director of plant services was found dead in his office in the basement. His master key was missing. Elevator footage showed the assailant entering at the basement level and employing a key to override straight to the top floor. It's rather obvious where he got it. Who is this boy? There are three men dead and I've lost track of the injured. I'm sorry, but we just aren't equipped to deal with something like this. I mean, non-custodial parents attempting an abduction yes, but hit men? Russian mobsters? What is going on here?"
Hotch decided that the harried man deserved an explanation. "Our investigation into serial kidnap and murder uncovered a human trafficking ring. And Spencer. We found him tied up in a basement being sold for sex to pedophiles. He'd been held for 3 ½ years."
"Oh my God!" exclaimed the shocked administrator. "But why are they after him? He's just a kid-how much of a threat could he be?"
"More than you'd think" responded Hotch tiredly. "Spencer is some kind of genius. He also drew pictures of women he had seen processed through that basement that we didn't even know about, along with pictures of all the men he saw abuse them and those that abused him. Besides the fact that he is integral to this case, and an innocent victim of horrific abuse, he is my son. I am in the process of adopting him, and I already love him deeply. It is vital for his healing that he feel secure. What I need from you is assurance that this cannot happen again. I am sorry for the loss of your employee, but you must understand that my first priority here is Spencer."
"Yes, of course, I understand that….but seriously, we ARE NOT equipped to deal with this, and I have responsibility for all the other patients, not to mention my employees. I don't know what to do from this point. I cannot give any assurances. What I CAN do is have the doctor come up and check Spencer over to make sure he is ok, and determine if he is well enough to travel. Wouldn't he be safest in Quantico? That's like on the grounds of a military base isn't it?" proposed the administrator.
"Perhaps that is true, but the FBI isn't equipped to house an injured child. Besides, much as we would like to we can't leave until this case is closed."
"That gives me an idea though." Said Rossi thoughtfully. "Let me make a few calls…We are very close to Nellis Air Force Base, If we could get him transferred to the O'Callaghan Medical Center there, Spencer would be safe and we would be close enough to continue working the case."
"My husband was stationed at Nellis before deployment. It would be very secure-no mobsters getting in there, Russian or otherwise." Piped up Ann, who was standing in Spencer's doorway. "Call after 0700 and ask for Coronel Gregory. Tell him I sent you. He loves my shepherd's pie-came to dinner whenever I made it." She grinned.
"Can I promise him your cooking?" responded Rossi with a wink. "Just might tip the balance."
"Hey-feel free. His wife Helen and I were besties when I lived on base. I'd love to see her again. And besides, I'm already approved as a civilian Per Diem nurse at the base hospital. So. If you still want me, I would kinda like to see Spencer through all this."
"We'd be honored Bella" responded Rossi.
Hotch turned from Rossi and addressed the administrator again. "Ok, we have a plan for the future. Until we are out of here, though, I want your master key as well as security's. Safer for you anyway. Meanwhile, I want JJ and Prentiss transferred up here for safety. Ann, can we impose on you to add onto your patient load?"
"No problem" the nurse replied. "Just send me up enough supplies to tend to their wounds, treatment orders and meds and I'm good to go."
"Now, j-just wait a m-minute here! I can't hand over master keys to the whole hospital to just anybody!" protested the administrator. "The board would have my job!"
"Now now," soothed Rossi. "If you can't trust the FBI, who can you trust?"
"Besides, would your board actually prefer that the media get wind of what's been happening here? Kidnap attempts, murder, mayhem…not good for the hospital's reputation, wouldn't you agree? However, JJ is a skilled Media Liaison who can direct the media's focus in a much more helpful direction." Insinuated Hotch, his face dead serious. "The choice is, of course, ultimately yours".
"That's blackmail!" exclaimed the distraught man, looking shocked. "You're FBI-you can't do that!"
"Do what, inform you of the likely consequences were my people not here to lend assistance?" responded Hotch calmly. "Get ahold of yourself sir, before you start making baseless accusations against myself and my team. We are here to free enslaved women and take dangerous criminals off of the streets. I would think you would welcome our efforts after the tragic death of your plant manager and the injuries sustained by others of your staff."
"You're right" admitted the downcast administrator. "I'm sorry. Here is my key, I'll instruct that the security key be brought up to you ASAP. Meanwhile, I'll have some donuts and coffee sent up-it's been a long night. If there is anything we can do, just call me-here is my personal cell" as he handed Hotch a business card. "I'm heading home now. Goodnight."
Hotch nodded thanks as he accepted the proffered card, than turned away as he answered his ringing cellphone. "Hotchner speaking. What do you have for us Garcia?"
"Well sir," responded the computer goddess. "It seems that pedophiles do not get along well with their roommates. One William Reid is currently en route to the locked ward at your hospital in serious condition after apparently suffering from multiple sexual assaults that, strangely enough, went unwitnessed. Mr. Reid is requesting the protection of the FBI in exchange for, and I quote "anything and everything about the McCormick brother's business". Shall I fax over the same agreement as for the last pervert? Reid is claiming to have been their lawyer and confidante."
"Why not? Information is information. I wish we could have had him roomed with those Marines first though. Garcia, did you ever go home? You need to get some sleep. That's an order. I need you at your dazzling best for this case OK?" replied the tired BAU chief. "Get at least 6 hours then call me with an update. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sir. You all get some rest too! Garcia out."
Putting the phone back in his pocket, Hotch turned to Rossi and Morgan. "Feel like talking to another unsub tonight? I promised Spencer I wouldn't leave him, and I don't dare get within arms-length of this one anyway."
"Sure thing Hotch," responded Morgan. "I hear you. You ready to roll Old Man?" he directed at Rossi.
"Born ready" smirked Rossi. "Let's go kiddo. Try to keep up." And the two headed for the elevator.