The Jason Gideon Detective Agency
Chap. 5-
As she exited the dark, smoky bar, it took a moment for Caroline's eyes to adjust to the waning sunlight outside. She immediately sensed she was being followed, and as her eyes took in the arrest of the unsub, two pairs of eyes met hers. Spencer and Prentiss watched the girl in disbelief as another young figure trailed her. Spencer yelled out as the second figure unearthed a switchblade.
"Caroline, look out behind you." Caroline looked up in surprise as the person she'd sensed took her in a choke hold, and put the knife to her throat. As a hush fell over the parking lot, Caroline recognized the arm that was around her shoulders, and the voice that spoke quietly to her as Heather Johnson's.
"Well, Dr. Steinberg. You had me fooled for a minute, I actually thought that you might truly be interested in a friendship." Caroline inhaled sharply, and the FBI people looked up, interested, as Spencer approached.
"Petty Officer Johnson? Please let her go." But Heather Johnson didn't have time to respond to Spencer, for something in Caroline's memory clicked, and she launched into a series of self-defense techniques she'd learned while in college. She stepped hard with her heel into the woman's instep, while jarring her elbow into her side. As Johnson released her in pain, Spencer and Morgan fly forward. Morgan makes the arrest as Spencer pulls Caroline to him, and out of the way. A moment later, it is quiet as Morgan places both suspects in the police vehicle, and the others speak to Caroline.
"Wow, Dr. Steinberg. How did you know how to do that?" Prentiss had watched the girl in surprised interest, overtaking the better-trained Navy personnel.
"Well, when I was in school, I was pretty young, and though I was living at home, I would have night classes. My father-thought it was wise for me to learn to keep myself safe." Rossi nodded.
"It was impressive."
"Thank you." Just then, a familiar car pulled up, and Caroline appeared annoyed. Jill spoke.
"Agent Hotchner and I phoned Gideon." Caroline nodded as the older man approached the group. He nodded at the agents, but spoke to Caroline.
"Are you OK?"
"Yes, sir. Can I go home?"
"Of course." They watch as Caroline pulls off her shoes as she saunters away, towards a small, blue sedan with dark windows. They watch as she opens the trunk and dumps the contents of her hands-her purse, wire, and heels-into the car, and pulls out an oversized sweatshirt. Tugging on the shirt, she climbs into the vehicle and, after checking that everything is secure, she drives away. It is quiet for a moment before Jill speaks.
"She'll be OK. I'll stop by her place and check on her when we're through here." Gideon nods, and the others continue on with the arrest, taking both suspects into custody and heading back to the base, where the MP's would book them into the Military Justice system. Gideon had insisted on coming along, but had sent Jill on her way, vowing to call with any new information. At the shipyard, Spencer speaks to Gideon.
"Gideon? Will Dr. Steinberg be ok? I mean-" Gideon smiled, understanding that the young man was inquiring more about the girl's emotional state and ability to work than her physical well-being.
"Yes, Reid. She'll be just fine. She's strong, and smart. But also, she has a bit of humanity-that's we need in this line of work. It's too easy to get caught up in all the evil. It's harder to remember that the unsubs are people, too, often with families and someone who cares. Caroline understands that; she sees humanity where the others think only a monster lives. We did a case a little while back; we were trailing some drug money, and Mexican cartels, and it was Caroline who saw and understood that the gangsters would die for their families-that that was the key to bringing them down. If we could get the underlings to see how their actions were hurting their families, it would help us get to the bosses. She even managed to talk one of the guys into dropping out of the business for awhile. We have him hidden in Connecticut." Spencer nods.
"I understand. Thank you. I have noticed that, uh, Caroline seems to be able to make a connection with families; even more so than JJ." Gideon nods.
"That's because she doesn't have a badge and protocol breathing down her neck. JJ is fantastic, but at the end of the day, she's still an FBI agent. Caroline is not. I give her pretty much carte blanch, so long as it's legal, of course."
"I understand. What you said about keeping your humanity-that's why you left, isn't it? Because after Sara died, you had lost it?" The other man raises and eyebrow, and nods once as he turns away. He strides for the interrogation room, where Hotch and Prentiss have Heather Johnson sitting. He turns before entering the hallway.
"Spencer, I am sorry if I left abruptly, and if it caused you pain. But yes, I felt that I had lost my humanity, and I needed to find it again. Leaving the FBI, and to an extent, all of you, was what had to happen." Spencer just stared at him for a moment, but then sighed as Gideon continued on his way.
Spencer stared after him a little while longer, then turned back to the table where he had spread out some files that Hotch had assigned him. He worked quickly and quietly, until his phone rang. It was Garcia, and he answered immediately.
"Hey, Garcia."
"Hey, Spence. I just got a call from Gideon, and I wanted to double-check that he was truly and actually working the case with you guys. Is Hotch around?"
"He's in interrogations. But yes, Gideon is really and truly with us. There was an incident, and Ms. Steinberg is no longer assisting, or at least, not for the remainder of the evening." Garcia fell silent for a moment, before replying to the young man.
"I can get her phone number for you if you want it." He sighed, and rolled his eyes.
"No, thanks."
"Ok, well, whatever. JJ just said that it seemed like you two were connecting. That's all. Anyway, I'll call Gideon on his cell."
"You have the number?"
"Of course, silly. I am Penelope Garcia, computer information finder extraordinaire. It's my job to know those things. Oh, and Spence? If you change your mind, I have Dr. Steinberg's phone number and address at the ready." He smiled lightly.
"Thanks, but that's really not necessary."
"Ok. Garcia out." The line went dead, and Spencer hung up, shaking his head at the oddness of his coworker. If the girl wasn't such a useful addition to the team, he might dislike her.
Twenty minutes later, Reid's phone rang again. This time, it was Hotch.
"Sir?"
"We are done with our interrogations of Ms. Johnson and Mr. Richardson, and we're taking Mr. Richardson into custody. Petty Officer Johnson confessed to the murder of Gunnery Sergeant Perez, but claims she is working alone, which we obviously know to be untrue. Gideon is trying to get a hold of Dr. Steinberg to see if she wants to press any battery charges, but she's seems to be ignoring his phone calls. Anyway, we're all heading back to the hotel." Spencer nodded, and spoke.
"Ok, I'll meet you all there, then?"
"Of course. Thanks, Reid." The line went dead, and Spencer started to gather his belongings. Something dawned on him then, and instead of heading out of the building, he sat down in the chair he'd been using and dialed Garcia. She answered on the first ring.
"Talk nerdy to me, Spence." He chuckled.
"I need that information on Dr. Steinberg." In her office, Penelope grinned a triumphant smile, and nodded, knowing the young man couldn't see her. She tapped a key, and read to him the information.
"Ok, her phone number is 455-867-1409. The address is 156 West Lexington Ave, 45. The Revere Building."
"Thanks, Garcia."
"No problem, kid. Good luck, stay safe, and don't worry-your secret is safe with me." He shook his head.
"Have a good evening, Garcia."
"You too." She hung up then, and he stood, exiting the building, and borrowing the same car he and Caroline had used earlier that day. He pulled up the GPS capability on his phone, and punched in the address that Garcia had given him. It was nearby, and as he drove, he reviewed his actions in his head. He was wondering if he didn't have an ulterior motive for this, but then decided he didn't; that he could convince the young woman to file a charge, and that he was the one that could appeal to her logic. He parked carefully, fed a parking meter, and asked the doorman to buzz him up. He had flashed his badge, so the man wouldn't buzz first, and Spencer was able to catch the elevator to the first floor. He located number 45, and knocked quietly. A muffled response caused him to smile.
"If you're from Calcutta Kitchen, knock twice. Otherwise, I don't want it." He chuckled, but knocked twice, and the door opened slightly to reveal Caroline's face, still made up, and annoyed.
"You're not Indian."
"Not today. Sorry. Can I talk to you?" She sighed, but nodded, and shut the door, sliding out the deadbolt and opening it wider to let him in. The annoyance had left her face, but her expression was unreadable.
"Dr. Reid. What brings you here?"
He glanced around her apartment; it was very clean, and very organized. He realized the woman might have just a touch of OCD. In one corner, a cat box and some food bowls were lined up against the wall, and in the other corner, there was a desk. The top was completely bare, and the shelf held three pens, two pencils, a letter opener, and a closed mail box. In the center of the room was a loveseat, and next to it, a wingback recliner. In front of those was a squat, glass-topped coffee table. There was nothing else in the room. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"I spoke to Agent Hotchner earlier, and he said that Gideon had been trying to contact you and-" She cut him off.
"And so they sent you to see if you could talk me into coming back?" He shook his head, and the woman sighed. She motioned for the loveseat.
"Take a seat. I'll be right back." He sat down as she disappeared through a door into what appeared to be kitchen. He sat in silence for about a minute and a half, and then Caroline returned with a tray, on which sat a teapot, two mugs and some honey. She sat the tray on the coffee table and then sat at the opposite end of the loveseat. She spoke.
"I'm sorry I was short. It's just-Gideon told me I'd be safe." She indicates the teapot. "It's chamomile. But help yourself, if you'd like. So, really, how did you find out where I live?" He grinned sheepishly, and looked her over. Her party dress was gone, and she was wearing sleep shorts, and a sweatshirt that read "MIT". Her brown hair had been brushed out, and she wore it in a ponytail. He realized then she was tired, and so he spoke quickly, not wanting to keep her up longer than was necessary.
"Garcia."
"Of course." She poured herself a mug of steaming tea, foregoing the honey, and settled back against the cushions as he continued.
"I think you should consider filing battery charges against Heather Johnson." Caroline snorted.
"She didn't hurt me. I hurt her more than she hurt me. I was scared, but that's all." He nodded, and poured himself some tea. He continued.
"She confessed to the murder of Gunnery Sergeant Perez." Caroline stopped dead, and stared at him for a moment, and then spoke, her voice ragged.
"Are you serious? What will his parents say? Oh, my. I never figured-" Tears welled in her eyes, and he moved closer, setting his cup on the tray, and reaching out for her. She flew against him, into his chest, and cried. It was quiet, except for Caroline's quiet sobs, for about five minutes, until she pulled away from him abruptly.
"I'm sorry. I totally didn't mean to do that." He shook his head.
"It's OK."
"What am I going to tell Mr. and Mrs. Perez in the morning?" He shrugged.
"I'm sorry. I don't know how to answer that for you." She nods.
"I know, I was being rhetorical. Anyway, thanks for telling me. I don't wish to press charges, but I do want to talk to her, if I can, before they put her in the brig or whatever it's called." Spencer nods.
"I think that can be arranged." They sat and looked at each other for a moment, before he continued. "Also, we'll likely be leaving in the morning; the case seems to be unraveling, and the Navy Intelligence people have requested to take over the case." Caroline nods.
"Well, then. Thank you for everything, and next time you're in Boston, be sure to look me up." He nodded, standing, sensing that it was time for him to leave, but he felt oddly rooted to his spot. He didn't want to leave; not without a hint that she would be in touch, for he so badly had so much he wanted to talk to her about, and none of it was about the case, or crime in general. He reached into his pocket and unearthed a business card, and handed it to her.
"My card. Maybe we could keep in touch?" He hoped he didn't sound too hopeful, and he smiled gratefully as she nodded.
"That would be nice." She held up her index finger, signaling him to hold on for a moment, and she strode across the room to the desk, locating a pad of Post-its and a pen. She scribbled quickly, and returning to him, handed him the yellow slip of paper. It was her email address.
"That's usually the best way to contact me." He nodded, and it was awkwardly silent once again. He moved his back foot, stumbling lightly, and she tittered.
"Sorry. It's just that it's usually me stumbling around for no reason." He smiled as they moved towards the door, and as she reached for the knob, she surprised him by kissing his cheek. He smiled, and spoke.
"I guess this is goodbye, then." She smiled, sadly, and saw him out the door, closing it lightly after him. He heard the deadbolt again, and he sighed as he made his way back downstairs.
Back at the hotel, the others sat in the restaurant of the hotel. JJ was on the phone, trying to reach Spencer, because he had not shown up yet. In frustration, she dialed Garcia, as the others chatted around her.
"Pen? It's JJ. I can't find Spencer." Garcia laughed.
"I can tap into his GPS, but I don't know where he is…" JJ could tell the girl was lying, but decided not to push it.
"Please." She waited as Garcia tapped some keys, and then replied.
"Hey, Blondie. It looks like the Boy Wonder is outside the hotel. Maybe he got lost." JJ nods.
"Maybe. Thanks."
"Of course. I am heading home; if anyone needs me, they can reach me there."
"I'll tell Hotch."
"Thanks. I'm out." Garcia hung up as JJ sighed and snapped her phone off. Derek looked questioningly at her.
"What's up, JJ?"
"I don't know, but I think Garcia is covering for Spence about why he's taken so long to get here." Derek looked surprised.
"I'll ask her, if you like." JJ shook her head, and texted Spencer.
"We're in the bar at the hotel, waiting for you." Just then, the young man entered, and the others chuckled as all the single girls and even some guys looked his way. But the agent didn't seem to register the attention, instead he headed towards the group, settling in as Prentiss and Morgan shifted over.
"Where've you been?" asked Prentiss.
"Nowhere." He signaled for the waitress, and ordered a sparkling water with a twist of lime, confirming the other's unspoken belief that the young man was indeed in recovery. He smiled lightly, and Derek shook his head.
"Yeah, right. You know how bad of a liar you are? Come on, tell us." Spencer sighed, and rolled his eyes.
"Ok, fine. I went over to see Dr. Steinberg. I tried to convince her to press charges. She refused." The others exchanged glances, and then JJ spoke, softly.
"Ok, Spence. We're sorry. We were just teasing."
"I know. I'm sorry too. So, what's for dinner?"
They placed their orders, and ate, the mood at the table lifting as the ate, talked, and joked through dinner. Spencer and JJ were the last to leave the table, both wanting to talk to the other, but wanting to do in private. As Derek left the table, Spencer motioned the waitress for another drink, and then turned to JJ. He was about to speak as she interrupted.
"What's the matter, Spence? You've been quieter than usual tonight." He sighed.
"When I went to see Caroline, it got a little heavy at the end." JJ raised an eyebrow, but waited for him to continue. "She kissed my cheek as I left, and we exchanged information." JJ smiled lightly.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I just told her that I hoped we could stay in touch, she kissed me, and then I left."
"Mmmm. How are you feeling now?"
"Mixed up. I don't know what to do. I like her company, but I don't know if we can make something romantic work. But I think we're both intelligent enough to separate any romantic feelings from professional ones, and I think we could end this case together." JJ nods.
"That sound reasonable. Can I tell you something? Don't let her slip away. Keep in touch with her, and if it's meant to be, romantically, it will happen. If not, then at least you've made a new friend." He nods, considering her words.
"Ok, I can do that. Thanks, JJ." He brightened a little, and smiled as JJ flagged down the waitress to pay their check. As she did, he stood.
"Please, excuse me, JJ. I need to go upstairs. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course. We're debriefing with the Navy people at 9 am, and then we'll return home."
"Ok. I'll see you, then." He exited the restaurant, heading for the second floor and entering his suite. He quickly dressed for bed, wrote his mom, brushed his teeth, and settled against the pillows with his laptop, typing an e-mail to Caroline.
The End