Disclaimer: The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest is owned by Hanna-Barbara. No money is being made from this story. It is simply by a fan for other fans. Also, Criminal Minds is a product of CBS, no money is being made from the use of their characters.
Chapter 9
Race stormed into the BAU offices, determined to find out what was on the DVD that was found at the hotel room where Estella had at one time been held. He needed answers; where was Estella and where was Jessie. While the BAU was being extremely helpful and was just as concerned with finding Jessie and Estella as he was, it seemed like things were just moving too slowly.
Keeping on Hotch's heels Race followed the other man down the hallway and into the BAU tech analyst's office.
"Garcia, we need to see what's on this DVD." Hotch said as he entered.
Jonny and Hadji both jumped to their feet at seeing the two men enter. "What did you guys find?" Jonny inquired.
Race shook his head and grumbled, "Not much."
"I suggest you boys head over to the conference room." Hotch said.
"But, if that DVD has something about Jessie," Jonny protested.
"He's right," Race said, trying to sound calm for the sake of the boys.
"Why don't you start setting up in there to brief us on what you've discovered so far?" Hotch suggested. "Garcia can meet you there in a few minutes."
Jonny and Hadji, both looking dejected and frustrated left the room.
"Just set this up for us and go meet the boys," Hotch told his analyst. "We'll be in there when we are done in here."
"Yes, Sir," Garcia said as she loaded up the DVD. She wasn't happy when someone occupied her lair when she wasn't there, but it was her boss and she imagined whatever was on the DVD wasn't something she really wanted to see anyways. "It's ready. Just press play."
Hotch nodded and Garcia left, closing the door behind her. "You realize this may be something you don't want to see, right?" Hotch said to Race.
"Just play it." Race replied through gritted teeth.
Hotch held Race's gaze for another few seconds then hit play.
Jessie appeared on the screen, bound to a chair. Race felt a mix of emotion flood his mind; she was alive, but she was obviously being held captive. Soon a man came into view and Race watched, unable to tear his eyes from the monitor, as the man hurt his little Ponchita. After the man had sliced his daughter's hair he held the clump of bloody locks in front of the camera and said "This is what happens to your daughter when you cross me." He laughed and then said, "Next time I will send you something from her that won't grow back." The camera shut off and the DVD ended.
Race seethed. His eyes were still locked on the monitor, but he knew Hotchner stood off to his side. All Race could think about was finding and killing whoever that man on the screen was. He clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
"Race," Hotch said softly.
Race lashed out and slammed his fists onto the tech analyst's desk, causing the monitor to tip over and pens and trinkets bounce into the air. "I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch." Race hissed.
"Calm down," Hotch said more sternly.
"Calm down?" Race turned on the man. "You want me to calm down after watching that?"
"I don't want you destroying this office." Hotch replied.
"Do you have kids?" Race asked.
"I have a son." Hotch answered.
"What would you do if that was your son?" Race asked, pointing back to the monitor.
Hotch kept his eyes locked on Race and responded, "Remember, Race, you are here as a guest. We're helping you and we will find your daughter and your ex-wife."
"But will we find them alive? We've discovered nothing so far!" Race let his frustrations pour.
"These things take time."
"Do you have any idea what this is like for me?" Race seethed.
Hotch stared Race down and finally responded, his voice even. "Yes, I do. You see, I know what it is like to have someone threaten my family as well."
"And what did you do about it?" Race glared.
"I killed him." Hotch replied, causing Race to blink, it wasn't the answer he was expecting. "I killed him with my bare hands; I beat George Foyet to death after he murdered my wife. After he stabbed me nine times and threatened to kill my son. So don't lecture me, in my office, about justice."
Race signed, taking a deep breath. He ran his hands through his hair and said, "I'm sorry. I had no idea. I just cannot stand inaction. Every minute that passes…" His voice trailed off.
Hotch shook his head. "We'll find Jessie. Let's go to the conference room, the team is waiting and Garcia said they found some information on Yuri Delic."
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It had begun to rain. Estella grumbled and tried to find some shelter. After she had calmed down, she had searched the van and the bodies of her dead captors. She had grabbed a backpack that contained Doctor Wellington's laptop, some bottled water, a few snacks, a flashlight, and a knife. She had debated taking the gun she had used, but she thought that if she got picked up by a passerby, or worse the police, she would have a hard time explaining the gun. She had also found some cash in Malik's pockets and she had taken his watch which she put in her pocket, she'd also found a light windbreaker. She had hoped to use Malik's phone to call Race, but he had it password protected and she had no idea what the number combination was. After a few attempts she had given up. She couldn't even check the GPS on the phone to determine her location. The van had begun to feel claustrophobic and she wanted to put as much distance between herself and the dead men as possible.
Glancing at the watch she saw that it was 0338 in the morning. She was cold, exhausted, and scared. Once the adrenaline of the event had worn off Estella could barely keep on her feet. She trudged on though, determined to find someone that could help her or at least find a phone. She headed in the direction she had believed they had come, but the darkness and her mind was playing tricks on her. All she wanted to do was sleep, even if just for a little while.
She pulled the hood of the windbreaker over her head and kept walking. The rain started to come down harder, making it impossible for her to see more than a couple feet in front of her. She needed to find shelter and fast. As she walked she made it to a clearing in the woods that looked to be an open pasture or farm field. Peering through the darkness and the rain she thought she saw a small structure on the far side. Her hopes elevated, she crossed the field and eventually the structure grew closer. It was an old barn that appeared to have been abandoned for decades.
Cautiously she approached the barn and pushed the door open. The only sound was the rain spattering against the wooden roof, which had numerous holes. She stepped inside and stood, half expecting her tormentors to be there waiting for her, but nothing happened.
Estella breathed and clicked on the flashlight. It was relatively dry and she was out of the cold and wind. Searching the barn she discovered an old horse blanket. Finding a relatively dry corner of the barn she sat down, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. She felt the tears in her eyes, but forced them away. She had to think. I'll only rest of a short time, let the rain pass. She thought to herself. She thought about Jessie and prayed that her little girl was unharmed. She was determined to make them pay for all of this.
Her eyelids heavy and the soothing sound of the rain brought back the tiredness and soon Estella slumped over onto the ground and fell asleep.
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Kosovo, December, 1998
"We got a hit." Clark said as he strode through the tent that he and the rest of the I-1 team occupied. Estella had been on her cot, reading a letter she had received from her husband and smiling at the colorful drawing of what her daughter, Jessie, claimed was a dog. Setting the letter and the drawing down, she stood and followed the big man to the back of the tent.
Corbin was fully clothed, but sleeping on his cot, arms crossed over his chest. His beanie cap pulled down over his eyes. Clark smacked Corbin's boot, "Wake up, boss."
Corbin pulled the beanie from over his eyes. "I was already awake. No one can sleep in here with your big ass rumbling around." He sat up and looked at his subordinate. Estella took a seat in the chair by the table.
"What have you got?"
Clark held up a folder and said, "Intel report for the long tabbers. They received information that Delic and his crew are holed up in a small village about thirty miles from here." He handed the file to his superior who thumbed through it. "Is this witness credible?"
"SFC Williams thinks so."
Corbin nodded and stood. "Alright, let's move out. Let SFC Williams know to have his bubbas ready to go in twenty minutes. We'll try and catch these thugs before they are on to us."
"Got it." Clark said then left.
"So?" Estella asked as she watched Corbin getting ready. She watched as he strapped his combat holster to his leg like usual, but then was a bit surprised when he reached down and pulled a long weapons case from under his cot.
"So?" Corbin mimicked her.
"I'm coming too, right?"
"Do you have weapons training?" He asked, but Estella knew he already knew the answers.
"Just qualification back at headquarters and what Race has taught me. I shot a little bit at the range here with the Special Forces guys." Estella smiled.
"Yeah I know about that." Corbin smirked, "That's why I asked."
Estella acted shocked, "Are you saying I can't shoot?"
Corbin lifted the weapon out of the case and held it out for her to examine. It was of medium size, but compact, and looked just as lethal as any heavy weapon she'd seen. She also noticed it had a sliding stock. "Do you know what this is?" He held it out to her with one hand, she took at and realized it was heavier than it looked, her arm dipping as she took it from him; he laughed.
"Ummm," She played innocent.
"It's an H&K MP5."
"So all I do is point and shoot, right?" She asked.
He motioned for her to give it back and she relented, "All you do, my dear, is sit in the back seat and keep your head down and your eyes and ears open."
"At least let me take a sidearm, for personal protection." She pleaded.
He sighed. "Fine, at least I know you've qualified on an M9 at one point." He tilted his head at the weapon rack that was in the back corner as he shrugged into a Load Bearing Vest and packed the magazines into the holders.
Estella grinned, got up and retrieved her weapon.
"Now let's go get these scumbags." Corbin said.
The team rumbled down the road, packed into three HMMWV vehicles painted in a woodland camouflage pattern. Estella was in the middle vehicle which was also occupied by the two male I-1 agents and Corbin. The other two military vehicles carried the Special Forces team and Agent Lewis.
Corbin was seated across from Estella in the back. He leaned over and in a loud voice said to her, "Stay in the vehicle. We have to clear the village. Once it's clear I'll signal for you or come get you."
"Alright," Estella agreed. She was glad to be part with the team, but action like this was not her cup of tea.
"Intel says they are holed up in a house down this street," Corbin pointed to a road on the map of the town that he had gotten from the file. "If you see anything once we dismount, radio us." He pointed at the radio mounted up front between Clark and Hill. "Agent Lewis and two of the SF guys will stay behind and pull security, so you won't be alone."
"Got it." Estella said and gave him a thumbs up.
She looked out the window, watching the peaceful countryside roll by. As they approached the town, she turned back to ask Corbin another question when suddenly a huge explosion shook the vehicle. BOOM!
Clark swore as he slammed on the brakes and jerked the wheel. "We're under attack!" He announced.
Corbin looked forward and saw the vehicle in front of them stopped and on fire. "Fucking landmines," He swore and started barking orders. "Clark, Hill, get out there and see if there are any survivors."
The two men up front got out, followed by Corbin who was signaling with his hands at the vehicle behind them. Weapon at the low ready he moved over to the other side of the vehicle, scanning the buildings of the town that was quietly poised in front of them.
He opened Estella's door and said, "Stay here, just keep your eyes open."
"RPG!" Someone shouted. Corbin's head spun around, then he turned grabbed Estella's arm and yanked her out of the vehicle. They took a few steps and he pushed her to the ground and got down next to and slightly on top of her. Seconds later the front of their vehicle exploded. Suddenly gunfire erupted.
"Damnit," Phil growled and raised his head. He observed gunmen on the roof of one low building and two more in windows in the buildings on the opposite of the street. "So much for them not knowing we were coming."
Estella kept her head down, but saw that Clark was dragging one of the men out of the front vehicle. He slung them man over his shoulder and ran back towards them, Hill providing covering fire. The sound of the gunfire was so loud, Estella couldn't think straight; she had no idea what to do.
SFC Williams was behind them, barking orders at his men who started bounding towards the buildings, firing as they moved.
"Come on," Corbin said, snapping Estella back to reality. He grabbed her arm and they ran for cover behind the last vehicle. Estella fell to her knees as they reached the rear of the military vehicle and seconds later Clark and Hill joined them.
Clark placed the wounded man down and Estella saw he was covered in burns and his right arm below the elbow was missing. She wasn't a medical doctor by trade, but she had training in first aid. "I need a first aid kit." She said without thinking. Hill snatched one from inside the vehicle and handed it to her.
She went to work. The man was moaning and groaning, but she couldn't hear him. In fact she heard nothing at all; she was too focused on trying to save his life. She placed a tourniquet on his amputated arm. "Tighten this as hard as you can." She said to no one in particular and saw Clark react.
Corbin looked at Hill, "What about the others?"
Hill shook his head, "All dead. Agent Lewis included."
"Damnit," He cursed. "Someone tipped these bastards off."
A volley of gunfire impacted close by and they all huddled around the back of the vehicle. "Clark, stay here with Estella and help her," Clark nodded, "Hill, you and me. Let's move."
Corbin and Hill took off towards the town.
"What do you need me to do?" Clark asked.
"Hold this." Estella said and handed the large man an IV bag. "Hang it up somewhere if you can." He watched as she tried to put an IV into the man's uninjured arm. He hung the bag on the rear bumper and watched as Estella expertly placed the needle.
She reached into the first aid kit and withdrew some bandages and began wrapping the man's head when she noticed he was unconscious. "Come on." She whispered as she tried to bandage the burns.
"Estella?" Clark said.
She forced herself to look at Clark, who had his fingers to the man's neck. He shook his head and met her gaze, "He's gone."
"No." She said and started checking the man's vital signs.
"He's gone, Estella. You did your best." He was trying to be kind, but Estella sat back and squeezed her eyes shut. She grabbed the man's hand that was still attached to his lifeless body and squeezed it tight.
"No, Damnit, no!" She stammered.
Clark moved over to her and placed a large, muscular arm around her shoulders. "It's alright."
"It's not alright!" She yelled. She could still here gunfire in the distance and it was fueling her anger. "This place is nothing but death!" She leaned forward and punched her fists into the frozen ground.
Clark kept his arm around her, but said nothing.
After what felt like an eternity, the team returned. Estella, her head leaned back against the vehicle, opened her eyes. She had no idea when the gunfire had stopped.
She saw Corbin and Hill and three of the Special Forces Soldiers standing around them. "He died." It was all she could say.
"What happened in the village?" Clark asked as he stood.
"About a dozen guys," Corbin said, "Most Yugoslavian gunmen. They've been eliminated."
Corbin saw Estella glaring at him. He looked away and said, "But no Delic."
"They knew we were coming," Hill guessed, "Delic took off and left these guys to try and take us out."
"Well he partially succeeded," Estella mumbled.
"I'll call for transport." SFC Williams said and moved to the front of the truck, the only one still operable.
Corbin nodded to his men and they stepped aside, out of earshot of Estella, "Help SFC Williams' men in getting everyone out of that vehicle. Then search the enemy dead, see if they carried any intel on them."
"Yes, Sir," both men said, and then Clark added, "What about Estella?"
"I'll take care of her." Corbin's voice was filled with remorse and he turned to go.
"Hey, boss," Clark said, causing Corbin to turn back, "She did a hell of a job trying to save that man's life."
Corbin nodded, "Got it."
Estella had watched the men talking, figuring Corbin was giving out orders then watched as Clark and Hill took off and Corbin came back an crouched down next to her.
"Are you going to say something?" She asked when he didn't speak.
He shook his head, "Not much to say in a situation like this," He sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch was gentle and reassuring, "but I heard and I see you did all you could for Joe here."
Estella sniffed and said, "It wasn't enough, but I tried."
"I know you did and he does as well."
Estella sniffed again and turned to look at Corbin, "We need to get these bastards so we can all just go home. I'm tired of all this bloodshed." Wrapping her arms around him, Estella buried her head into Corbin's shoulder and wept.
Holding her close he softly replied, "Me too, Estella, me too."
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Present Day
Race fumed as he took a seat at the round table in the BAU conference room. He felt Benton's and the boys' gazes on him, but they said nothing. Race's jaw was firmly set and he thumped his fingers against the polished table. Race was never one for openly talking about his feelings, but he wore them on his sleeve. He wanted to be out there, looking for Jessie, making the bastards that held her…that hurt her, pay for their actions. But instead he sat here, feeling worthless. He silently cursed Corbin for stripping him of his I-1 credentials and access, even though he knew his superior did what he had to do by regulation.
As the team assembled, Hotch nodded towards his tech analyst and said. "Sir, while you were out, we," she nodded and Jonny and Hadji, "were able to gain access into the Intelligence One database."
"What did you find?"
"Well, a lot…and nothing." Garcia replied cryptically.
"What does that mean?" Race asked, none too happy.
"Well, we found out about this Yuri Delic character and that he was a pretty bad guy; did some really nasty things in Kosovo in the late 1990s." She gave the team the history of Delic, his background, and his crimes.
"Kosovo?" Race mused, stroking his chin. "Estella was on an assignment there at that time. It was her last assignment before leaving I-1."
"Do you think she and Delic crossed paths?" Hotch asked.
Race shrugged, "I don't know. She didn't talk much about it. She was definitely changed after her time there. She left the agency and focused her attention on raising Jessie and continuing her independent work. I asked Corbin about it at the time, but he wasn't very forthcoming either."
"He was there as well?" Benton asked.
Race nodded, "He was the team leader."
"Something must have happened there." Hadji guessed.
"Why do you say that?" Hotch asked, seriousness etched across his face.
"Well," Hadji concluded, "This whole ordeal appears to tie back to something that happened in Kosovo; the connection between Estella and Corbin, Yuri Delic, the secrecy behind all of this. It's just very strange."
"Well," Garcia continued. "It looks like Delic was arrested and charged with war crimes along with about fifteen Yugoslavian soldiers. They were all convicted and sent to Dubrava Prison." She clicked a button on her remote and a video appeared on the display behind her. "Now, Sir, you may or may not be receiving an inquiry from INTERPOL because I kind of got this video through nefarious methods perhaps."
Morgan and Dr. Reid smiled and Hotch, stern as ever nodded, "What is it, Garcia?"
"This is video from inside Dubrava Prison just over two years ago." She clicked play. The video was from a security camera that covered the prison's dining facility. Men milled about, some in line for food, some sitting at tables, eating. There was no sound with the video. "See the tall, skinny man just now leaving the lunch line and walking down the middle aisle? That is Delic."
The group leaned in to observe the grainy black and white video.
"Now here comes the ugh part," Garcia said, she must have watched the video enough times to know what was next because she did not look at the screen.
On the video Delic walked passed a table of men and it appeared he glanced in the direction of the group. It was unclear if any words were exchanged, but as he passed, one man from the table stood and quickly ran up behind Delic and stabbed the disgraced scientist multiple times. Delic fell and the man stepped over his body. No one on the video moved to help the fallen man.
"He was stabbed thirteen times." Hotch said reading from the file that his tech analyst had given him.
"I assume he died from those wounds." Race said.
"According to the official file, yes, he did."
"This was two years ago. Six months later there was a massive riot at the prison and twelve men escaped, including this man." Again she clicked a button and a mugshot appeared, Race felt his entire body tense when he saw the image, it was the same man from the video with Jessie.
"His name, according to prison records is Drazen Popovic. He was the leader of the Yugoslavian soldiers that went rogue and took part in the killings, thefts, and rapes during the war. He was sent to prison along with Delic and the rest of their gang."
Twelve men don't just escape for prison at the same time," Morgan said motioning with a flip of his wrist at the files, "they had help from either the inside, outside, or more likely both."
"If Drazen was working for Delic then why would he kill him?" Benton asked to no one in particular.
"Who know, but we do know this Drazen character killed Delic and escaped prison and now he's holding Jessie." Jonny stated. It was clear that he was just as fed up as Race.
"He's also using Estella as a pawn to do his dirty work. But what is his ultimate goal? Is he just out for revenge for going to prison? And how the hell does this help us find Jessie and Estella?" Race asked, again feeling like they were getting nowhere.
"Well," Garcia pipped in, "I have an idea."
"Go ahead, Garcia," Hotch stated.
"Pause for dramatic effect," she hummed and then stated triumphantly, "Maybe you can ask Yuri Delic."
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To Be Continued….
A/N: For my readers, I have a few notes of clarification. If any of you are not familiar with the show, Criminal Minds, where the BAU characters are from, the story Hotch tells Race is from one of the episodes. A criminal named George Foyet did taunt Hotch, stabbed him 9 times, and then later killed Hotch's wife. Hotch did end up beating Foyet to death.
Also, I was going to add some more to this chapter, specifically a Jessie scene, but I think where I left off is a good spot. So the next chapter will include another scene with Jessie and her attempt to escape. Also, Jonny and Hadji are going to get some key information that will lead them off in a typical Jonny and Hadji getting into trouble routine!