To say she was pissed would be putting it mildly. She had been so excited when his number flashed across her phone. She jumped to answer it on the first ring and she knew he heard the happiness in her voice; like a silly schoolgirl with a crush. He ignored it and kept the call short and coldly professional. Even now an hour later she couldn't shake the way he had handled her…she was supposed to be the handler not him! He didn't get it…she was in charge and this was her operation. In frustration, she grabbed the remote and pressed the button. Immediately, the TV screen illuminated with a loud over-acted infomercial on some super mop the latest and greatest in cleaning since soap, water and elbow grease!
"Hey Jordan, it's Morgan."
"Hey yourself."
"Just wanted to let you know I made it in and I'm turning in for the evening."
"Okay, great. How do you think it went tonight?"
"Well, I'm meeting her for lunch tomorrow so I guess it went as well as could be expected."
"So do you want to get together tomorrow afterwards for drinks…you know to debrief?"
"Not necessary. I'll check in per policy and that should be adequate."
"Wow…okay then…make sure you keep me informed of what's going on."
"Goodnight, Jordan."
Damn! She thought to herself. That man could be ice cold when he wanted. She was on her tenth channel and still found nothing that would take her mind off of SSA Derek Morgan.
Home of Zelda Cromley- Morning
Zelda thumbed through her massive wardrobe. It had been a long time since a man had caught her attention like the caramel-colored sculpted gentleman who'd mysteriously found his way into her establishment last night. Greg Mathers…hmmm…he didn't look like a Greg Mathers she thought to herself. He was almost too good to be true and things that seemed too good to be true often were. In any case she planned to have a lot of fun discovering who the real Greg Mathers was and if she had her way, he'd be her prime catch of the year. Money and power had blessed her with a lot of life's gifts and how she looked forward to unwrapping him!
Findley's Steakhouse – Afternoon
Morgan and Zelda had agreed to meet at noon at Findley's. He'd never eaten there which was one of the reasons he'd chosen this spot. He couldn't afford being recognized by the staff.
Zelda arrived fifteen minutes late no doubt to make an entrance. That may have worked thirty years ago but now not so much. He dreaded sitting across the table from this overconfident woman who obviously had more in mind than just business. Smiling much too broadly, she sauntered over to the table. He stood and greeted her by pulling her chair out for her and waiting for her to sit.
"Hello. It's good seeing you." He started.
"Good seeing you too. Sorry I'm late the chef had a meltdown just before I walked out the door."
"Chefs, they are a temperamental bunch."
"That they are." She agreed. "Now tell me, how'd your meeting with your friend go this morning?"
He had spoken with her earlier to confirm today's lunch and mentioned that he'd be meeting with his friend at the security company before meeting her.
"Well, I'm not sure it's really what I had in mind."
"And what did you have in mind, gorgeous?" she said leaning toward him.
"I'm used to a little bit more action than playing body guard to pampered heiresses or out of control rock stars."
Before the conversation could go further the waiter came over to take their drink order.
"A bottle of your best champagne." She said to the young waiter.
"I see you like the finer things in life, Ms. Cromley."
"Zelda, please."
She looked at him hungrily and licked her lips. He felt dirty and uncomfortable.
"Zelda."
"That's better."
FBI Headquarters –
Jordan checked her watch for the third time; Derek was due to check in soon and she was anxious to hear how his lunch had gone with Zelda Cromley. Overnight another body had turned up and it was believed to be the work of Zelda and her network of killers only this time things were different. It seemed as if the deceased was one of Zelda's men; his battered body was found in an alley near the financial district. Intel had told Jordan and her superiors that Cromley did not handle insubordination or failure well and obviously this poor man had done something that set her off costing him his life. This case had just gotten more dangerous than they imagined.
The team had begun gathering in the conference room with a new case that would send the team out of town. Penelope was already missing Morgan now with the team leaving the next several days was going to be even longer. Hotch had begun explaining the particulars of the case but her mind was elsewhere. His voice was like a jumble of incoherent ramblings until she was pulled back into the present with the constant repeating of her name.
"Garcia! Garcia?"
"Oh, sorry Boss…"
"Garcia, we're going to really need you to focus. You know that time is of the essence in child abductions."
"I'm sorry. I'm ready to rock and roll, sir!"
He looked at her with a stern frown as he uttered his familiar command.
"Wheels up in thirty!"
Garcia gathered her case file and laptop as the team headed toward the door. JJ stayed behind to see about her friend.
"Have you heard from Morgan?"
"No and I don't expect to until that case he's on is over."
"Garcia, he's done this before that's why he was chosen for this case."
"No JJ, he was chosen for this case because Jordan Todd is trying to get her hooks into him!"
"You do know that there's no chance in hell, Morgan will have anything to do with Jordan Todd, right?"
"JJ, I don't know, I meant she's beautiful, smart…she understands what he does for a living…"
"Garcia, you just described yourself!" JJ chuckled. "Morgan loves you! You, not Jordan, you crazy woman!"
"I know, you're right! I just miss him and it's only been one day. I can't imagine two weeks without him."
"Well we need you on this case and in case you hadn't noticed, Hotch is in a lousy mood. I know it's hard but come on snap out of it."
"I'm good…or I'll be good. Now go the team is waiting."
The two best friends exchange weary smiles as JJ headed toward the elevators and Penelope headed toward her lair.
Findley's Steakhouse –
"I could use a man like you, Greg."
"A man like me? What do you mean?"
"I man with your skills…your experience."
"But you don't even know me, so how do you know anything about my skills and experience?"
"Trust me, Greg, I've done my homework. A woman in my line of work can't be too careful. There's always more to a man like you than a pretty face and an…incredible body."
Morgan felt uneasy hearing this woman who was older than his own mother talk to him and about him this way. Behind her lust was a smart, cunning and evil woman and he knew he could not let his guard down.
"Okay, so you did your homework. So what?"
"I know that you are a former navy seal, served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, responsible for bringing down several domestic terrorist cells, you're an expert marksman and I've witnessed firsthand your self-defense abilities."
"I'm impressed…but how did you get all of this information on me?"
"Let's just say, I have my ways."
"I'm not sure how I can help you, Zelda. You own a restaurant and as I told you last night, I'm not interested in being a bartender or a waiter."
"Oh, believe me I have bigger plans for you, Handsome."
A shiver ran up his spine as she placed her aged hand on his and smiled broadly at him. Resisting jerking his hand away from her claw-like fingers he returned the smile.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"Good."
She leaned back in her chair and stared at the man across from her. She indeed had plans for him. As her eyes roamed her mind did too but her thoughts were interrupted by his deep soulful voice.
"So, what do you have in mind for me?"
"If you only knew." She chuckled to herself.
"My restaurant is merely a hobby of mine. My real business is much more…demanding."
"Now I'm really intrigued."
"I provide a service for several of my very wealthy and very powerful clients." She could see the curious look in his eyes. "I handle certain, 'problems' that they can't handle for themselves."
"These, 'problems', what do they have to do with me?"
"Well, your abilities are just what I need to satisfy my clients, if you know what I mean."
"I know exactly what you mean, Zelda."
"Wonderful. The pay is good and the timing is perfect. I'm down a man and I have a client that has a pressing problem that needs to be handled immediately. Interested?"
"Yes, I'm interested."
"Good. Meet me at my apartment tonight at ten and I'll fill you in on the details."
"Ten? I can do that."
"Oh, and Greg…where something comfortable…it's going to be a very long night."