A/N: Did you really think the BAU wasn't going to get involved in this?
Chapter 3
Caleigh looked at Aaron after she and Alex finished updating him. Jack had the kids downstairs in the den. "You're awfully quiet."
Aaron shook his head. "There's not much to say. Sadly, I've seen these types before. I'm not surprised." He looked at Alex. "Sorry, I study behavior."
"No worries," Alex smiled.
Aaron looked at Caleigh. "I do have one question. If Delaney didn't look up, how did you know it was him?" Alex shook his head. Forgot to ask that.
"The way he said tip," Caleigh responded. "When he said it the first time, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and it triggered something. That's why I asked him to say it again. Then I knew."
Aaron softly smiled. "Care to share with the class Dave?" He looked at Alex. "Family joke." Alex smiled.
"The way he said the word tip. The night we were driving to the movie, when he tried to rape me the first time, he railed against leaving tips for wait staff. 'They're supposed to serve me'."
Aaron shook his head. "That fits the profile."
Just then, Alex's phone pinged with a text message. He read it. "OK. Erin just got the restraining order. One thousand yards. That's over a half mile. It's in the database for all the county and Annandale patrol cars." He looked at Caleigh. "Annandale is going to keep a cruiser around the neighborhood all night."
"Thank you for everything," Caleigh smiled at Alex. "Please go home."
"I can stay the night…"
Caleigh shook her head. "I'll be fine. I know he can't get in."
"Caleigh," Aaron said. "Didn't you say last week that Caleb is working nights on an international project? But he's working from home. Have him work here tonight. Dave could come over as well to back him. Strength in numbers."
Caleigh smiled. "My strength in numbers is the security system Zach insisted on and the Annandale PD. I'm good. I just need Jack to stay to help me with the kids' bath time."
"Jack has homework to do," Aaron replied. "But I'm surprised Beth isn't here already. She said she would come over and help you with the kids." They heard Beth coming in through the garage.
Beth looked at Caleigh. "Everything OK?"
"We're fine. I really appreciate the help."
"Let's do it," Beth smiled.
Before heading to bed, Aaron looked across the street. The house was dark.
-00CM00-
Aaron woke to his cell buzzing on the nightstand. He groggily picked it up and noticed the caller ID and the time. It was a little past two. "Caleigh," he said, getting out of bed.
"He's here again Aaron. Ringing the doorbell and yelling. Lexie is going nuts and the kids are waking up."
"Stay upstairs with the kids Caleigh and do not turn on the lights," Aaron said, pulling on a pair of cotton lounge pants and then putting his feet into a pair of slides. "Caleigh, listen to me. Get the kids in your bed," he said while punching in the code to unlock his gun safe. He pulled out his Glock and grabbed his credentials off the dresser as he was leaving the bedroom. "Get Lexie upstairs with the kids."
He heard Caleigh calling and then whistling for Lexie. "Get up here," he heard Caleigh say as she got a crying Logan settled. He could hear Caleigh tucking in the kids as he pulled on a hoodie.
"Caleigh listen to me. Go to the security panel in your bedroom. See the red button for security call?"
"Yes," she said as Lexie ran into the bedroom.
"Just below is another button. It's the silent security button. It will turn on all the outside lights and notify 9-1-1. Press it when I tell you," Aaron continued, moving to the patio door off the kitchen nook. "I'm about to do the same." Aaron unlocked the patio door. "Now. Call 9-1-1." Between the outside security lights on both homes, the neighborhood lit up.
Aaron ended the call flying down the steps to the patio. He heard Delaney shouting at the house. "I'm going to fuck you bitch!" It chilled him as he came around the corner of the house onto the driveway apron.
"FBI! Get down on your knees!"
Delaney took one look at the Glock leveled at him and took off running. Aaron ran across the street to Zach and Caleigh's home. He got the code into the box on the side of the garage doorframe. The door slid up. Aaron ducked under the door and kept a vigilant watch as he moved to the house door. Aaron pressed the button to put the door back down. Once it was, Aaron put his Glock on top of the beer fridge. He found the door key that Dave had artfully hid in the freezer of the beer fridge and unlocked the deadbolt and then the door handle lock.
Walking into the home, he flipped on a light in the nook and bolted to the stairs, ascending them two at a time. He started down the hallway. Caleigh met him halfway and put her finger to her lips. "Brittney, my father-in-law is here."
She handed her cell to Aaron. "Brittney, this Agent Aaron Hotchner of the FBI. I've got Caleigh and the kids are safe and the home is secure."
"Thank you Agent Hotchner. There are three patrol cars responding to the area. Let's hope they find this mutt. Please give me your cell number to contact you with updates."
After giving the dispatcher his number, Aaron smiled. "Thank you Brittney. It's secure here. I'm going to help Caleigh get the kids settled back down."
"A patrol car should be there momentarily, Agent Hotchner. You or Caleigh need us again, please call."
Aaron ended the call and walked into Caleigh and Zach's bedroom. "Logan, go to grandpa," Caleigh said as she got the twins settled and tucked in. Aaron picked Logan up and took him into the hall. A couple minutes of snuggle time and back rubs from grandpa put him back to sleep.
Aaron smiled at Caleigh, tucking him into the bed. Lexie was curled up around the twins' feet. Aaron nodded Caleigh out of the room.
Once in the hallway, Aaron pulled Caleigh into his arms. "You OK?"
Caleigh softly shook her head. "He's getting to me."
"Caleigh, don't let him."
"Aaron, I know I'm his target. I accepted that when I walked into ADA Reardon's office. But it's the kids now."
"They're sound asleep. It's a minor blip in their world," Aaron said. "Let's go downstairs. I'm sure we'll get an update soon."
As they were going down the steps, Aaron's cell pinged. He pulled it out and looked at it. "It's Beth," he said to Caleigh as he quickly texted a message that everything was OK. Go back to sleep he added.
"I don't think sleep is happening tonight," Caleigh said.
Getting to the bottom of the steps, Aaron looked at her. "You've made your stand and I'm so proud of you. Don't give up. You're there for Stephanie. Strength in numbers." He nudged Caleigh, putting his arm around her shoulder. "You've got that as well."
He guided her to the nook counter and got her sitting down. "It's just all going to happen in the background," he smiled at Caleigh.
His cell buzzed. "Agent Hotchner," he answered.
"Agent Hotchner, this is Annandale PD Sergeant Pedro Hernandez. My partner Officer Whitten and I are approaching the house."
"I'll open the garage door Sergeant. Please be aware my three grandkids just got back to sleep."
"Understood Agent. We'll keep them that way."
Aaron started to move to the garage. "Dad, do you want a pair of Zach's socks?" Caleigh asked.
"I'm fine sweetheart," Aaron smiled, moving out the door.
Sergeant Hernandez was waiting in the driveway. "Agent Hotchner?" he asked.
"Sergeant," Aaron nodded, showing Hernandez his credentials.
"Agent, do you have your weapon with you?"
"Yes, Sergeant. It's on top of the beer fridge," he pointed. "I won't take it into the home with my grandkids in there."
"Understood Agent," Hernandez said. "Agent, can you follow me please?" he asked, walking back down the driveway. Aaron noticed Officer Whitten had the window on her side, as the driver, halfway down. Hernandez opened the back door of the squad car. "Is this the guy who was here earlier?"
Aaron bent down and looked. "Yes it is."
Hernandez slammed the door shut. Whitten looked in the rearview mirror at Phillip Delaney. "Sucks to be you, hump."
Hernandez smiled at Aaron. "She's not bad for a rookie."
"No, she's not," Aaron smiled back.
"Agent Hotchner, we understand that there are young children in the home. And with you involved, the watch commander has already said we'll get statements from all of you later this morning. You keep those grandkids of yours sleeping. Have Caleigh call the front desk after she's got the kids up and fed." He handed Aaron a card.
Aaron took the card and put it in his pocket. "Thank you Sergeant."
"One more thing Agent. Officer Whitten is notifying the security company that everything is secure here. They should be resetting the system for both homes in a minute or two."
"We appreciate that Sergeant," Aaron said, extending his hand.
"Our pleasure Agent," Hernandez nodded with a smile, shaking Aaron's hand.
Aaron walked back into garage, put the door down and went into the kitchen. "Aaron?" Caleigh asked, turning on the light above the sink.
Aaron pulled two glasses out of the cupboard and set them on the nook counter top. He pulled out the bottle of scotch Zach had stashed and poured a splash into each glass while Caleigh sat back down. He slid one glass to Caleigh. "I just identified Delaney as the man I pointed my Glock at. He was handcuffed in the back of that Annandale police squad car."
Caleigh deeply exhaled. "I just put out a fire with my parents, wondering what was going on," Caleigh said, picking up the glass. Just then, the security lights outside shut down. She took a sip and swallowed. "Gawd! How can you drink this?" she asked, putting the glass on the counter.
Aaron smiled, pouring the rest of Caleigh's glass into his. He drained it. "Like that." He looked at Caleigh. "Delaney is going to lock-up. Get to bed and sleep with the kids. They'll enjoy the mom time sleeping with you," he smiled. "See you in the morning."
"Thanks Dad," Caleigh said, hugging Aaron.
"Cal, I'll say it again. I'm so proud of you. Let us help." He dug the card Hernandez gave him out of his pocket. "Call that number after the kids are fed. They'll send someone over to take our statements."
Caleigh smiled. "Strength in numbers."
"You got it." Aaron smiled, kissing her cheek. "Get to bed. I'll lock down the house."
-00CM00-
I'm indisposed this morning. I'll be in the office by noon. Team briefing is at one pm.
Dave got off the elevator on the sixth floor later that morning at his usual time. He knew the rest of the team would be waiting for him, given Hotch's cryptic text earlier. He pulled the glass door open and walked in. He was right. "Kids, I know nothing," he said.
"Really?" Morgan asked.
"Nada, Derek," Dave answered. "But the great poobah has put me in charge this morning." He looked at the team. "Guess what that means?"
"I hate doing reports," Emily groused.
"Paperwork keeps the boss happy," Dave said, moving up the steps to his office. He opened the door and then looked back at the team in the bullpen. "Yeah, I hate it too." The rest of the team smiled, moving off to their workspaces to do their job.
Like Dave predicted, Hotch came through the side door around noon and went straight to his office, shutting the door. A little before one, he came out and moved down the walkway towards Dave's office. Rossi was lying in wait. "You look like crap."
"I'm tired Dave," Aaron said as they walked together to the briefing room. "It was a long night." They walked into the briefing room together and sat down.
Morgan looked at Aaron. "Hotch, what the hell is going on?"
Hotch filled them in. "That's why grandpa is tired." Everyone smiled. "That said, we've got a job to do. Let's do it. Then we can talk more."
Being in the office for the last week and a half, the briefing was quick. Things had not changed much since yesterday besides the catch-up on paperwork. The team helped JJ finalize a profile for the Reno, Nevada PD.
"We done?" Emily asked, looking around the table. Everyone nodded. "Hotch, how can we help Caleigh?"
"Emily, she's been doing fine on her own. I'm very proud of her. Obviously, so is Zach. I'm the one that needs help." That caught everyone's attention. "I do not want any fingerprint of the BAU anywhere near this case. I know Maria Galvez as well. She gets one whiff of us snooping around, she'll use that to muddy the waters of the jury's mind. And do it well."
"Then what Hotch?" Morgan asked.
Aaron looked at him. "You know me and my DIY skills." Everyone smiled. "Can you and Dave go to the house tonight, measure the screen door and get a new one ordered. Dave will pay for it. He knows the drill with getting the receipt to Kelly."
"And she knows how to pay me back," Dave said.
"Hotch," Morgan said. "I've been there. It's a standard size door. We should be able to find one at any of the DIY stores in the area tonight."
"Better yet," Aaron smiled. He looked around the table. "The rest of you," he smiled. "I just need eyes and ears in any courtroom proceedings. Quietly." He looked at Dave and JJ. "That leaves the three of us out."
"Hotch, we've all been in the public eye more than once," Morgan pointed out.
"You are tired my friend," Dave smiled, giving Aaron's shoulder a rub.
"I am Dave," Hotch admitted. "But I've got an idea," he said, picking up his cell phone, hitting a speed dial number. "Hi Andi. It's Aaron Hotchner. I need a favor."
"Running on fumes and he's still a machine," Emily quietly snarked.
"You're just noticing that now after all these years?" Reid smiled at her. Tara and JJ pointed at Reid with big grins.
Emily looked at Morgan. "Hit him please."
"With pleasure."
-00CM00-
Later that afternoon, the Honorable Joseph Heller, presiding judge walked into the court chamber. He sat down. "Please be seated." He looked around. "I see we have a defendant with council," noting Maria Galvez's presence. He looked at the empty prosecution table.
Just then, ADA Reardon entered the courtroom through the side door. "My apologies, Your Honor, for being late."
"Ms. Reardon, you're here for a plea entry?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
Heller shook his head. "Why am I getting a headache?" He nodded at the bailiff.
"The county of Fairfax, Virginia against Phillip Michael Delaney," the bailiff read. "Two counts of disturbance on a private property. One count of damage to private property. One count of resisting arrest. And one count failure to comply with a restraining order."
"How does the defendant plead?" Heller asked.
"Not guilty Your Honor," Delaney said.
"These are misdemeanor charges Your Honor," Galvez said. "Defense asks that my client be ROR."
Heller shook his head. "Here we go. ADA Reardon."
"Your Honor, the three charges against personal property were an attempt to intimidate a witness in an upcoming trial the defendant has on a separate charge. At her home. With her three young children inside the home as well."
"Still misdemeanors Your Honor," Galvez said.
"Your Honor, the defendant blatantly ignored a restraining order issued yesterday by one of your fellow members of the bench after hearing overwhelming testimony from an Annandale police detective."
"That restraining order was never served to my client," Galvez said.
"Your Honor, a copy of that restraining order was delivered to defense council. Upon the defendant's arrest early this morning, officers found a cellphone on his person. Detective Adam Carlson of the Annandale PD applied for a search warrant for the defendant's cell. This was granted by her Honor Jessica Gardena. Upon Detective Carlson's search of said cell, he found a text from Ms. Galvez to the defendant. 'You've been served a restraining order. Don't be stupid'. The defendant's reply back was 'expletive you'. I present into evidence a screen shot taken by Detection Carlson, along with his sworn statement." Reardon handed the copies to Heller and another set to Galvez.
"Furthermore Your Honor, these charges are in violation of the bail restrictions the defendant has in the aforementioned other case." Reardon approached the bench again, handing the judge another file. "Given these facts, we ask that the defendant be held in custody until tomorrow at eleven, when I present evidence to His Honor Judge Novak to rescind the defendant's bail agreement on the previous charge."
Heller read the bail agreement and then looked at Phillip Delaney. He smiled. "Welcome to the Fairfax County jail system Mr. Delaney. Enjoy your stay." He used his gavel. "Next case."
An attractive blonde female sitting in the last row of the courtroom gallery seats smiled, and pulled out her cell, sending a text.
Hotch – Reardon is real deal. No bail on current charges. Hearing tomorrow to revoke bail on previous charge. I'm sure she'll update Caleigh.
FBI Supervisory Agent Ashley Seaver picked up her purse and left the courtroom.
XXX
A/N: ROR is released on own recognizance.
This is another chapter where the initial input from the OK Teach's first read through made this chapter better. Thank you!