Disclaimer: See chapter 1

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The Saturday lunch crowd at Eve's was huge today and Emily had been lucky to get a reservation on short notice. Eve said that a lot of people chose to take their mothers out to lunch on Saturday rather than Sunday which was evidenced by the large number of gray haired diners. Emily wasn't going to be able to take her mother out this year as Ambassador Prentiss was out of the country. Allie had called earlier this morning, wondering if the girls could do lunch as Andy Cummings and his workmen were there installing the new security system Spencer had asked for. The banging and drilling was affecting Joanna so Allie decided they needed to get out of the house.

Garcia and JJ had arrived shortly after Emily and they were perusing the menu when Allie hurried in toting Joanna in her car seat/carrier along with her purse and a diaper bag. "Sorry I'm late guys," she said as she rushed up to the table. "This is the first time we've been out and I miscalculated how long it would take to get Joanna ready."

Garcia jumped up to relieve Allie of the baby. "Hi sweetheart," she said in a high pitched voice, "remember me, Aunt Penelope?"

The baby made a noise which prompted Emily's, "I'm sure that was a yes."

"Ooh, you're such a pretty wee girl, aren't you?" Garcia said as she removed the pink knitted afghan that covered Joanna and revealed a one piece outfit with pink bottoms and feet and a white shirt with a pink kitty that appeared to be peeking over the waistband of the pants. The computer tech took one of the tiny hands in hers, "But you would be, with such a gorgeous daddy. Look," she said as she gently ran her finger over Joanna's, "you have your daddy's beautiful hands."

Allie turned to the others at the table, "What am I, chopped liver?"

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William Reid dialed the number with some trepidation but he knew it was the right thing to do. He waited for the call to be answered, "Lloyd Graham."

There was silence on the line and Lloyd wasn't sure if the caller was there, "Hello, are you there?"

"Yes, yes I'm here," came the man's voice. "I uh, I'm just trying to think of what exactly to say."

"Are you calling about legal representation," Lloyd asked. He was used to people being unsure of whether they should or should not call a lawyer.

"I guess I should just come right out and say it. This is William Reid, Spencer's father."

Lloyd Graham was seldom surprised. He had seen too much in his life to be totally surprised by anything, he thought. He'd known the happiness of serendipity or disappointment when things did not go according to plan. He'd felt the shock of the sudden and unexpected death of someone he'd known but eye popping, jaw dropping surprise was rare, but now was one of those rare occasions! "Excuse me for being skeptical but how do I know that?" Lloyd replied.

"You want me to give you absolute proof? I don't know if I can. In the last letter I sent to Allie, I sent ten pictures from when Spencer was a child. I suppose you could ask her."

"What do you want Mr. Reid? It's too early in your sentence to be looking for legal advice for parole," Lloyd told him curtly.

"You're quite right," the voice on the phone responded. "Actually, I'm not calling for myself. I'm calling for someone you may be familiar with, at least you provide his grandmother with a plane ticket every month…on Spencer's behalf, I'm sure. I'm also sure Spencer investigated Chico before he did it to see if he was worthy." Lloyd's jaw dropped again. He had no idea William knew anything about Spencer's arrangements for Chico's grandmother. As if he could see through the phone line, William added. "I may have done a stupid thing Mr. Graham but I am not a stupid man. Did you think I wouldn't be curious where this plane ticket for Chico's abuella came from especially after my sons had just visited? I researched Chico's case on Westlaw and it is very clear to me that he was railroaded every which way from Sunday. Spencer knows that. He also surmised that Chico is my protection and for that reason Spencer chose to help Mrs. Mendez rather than Chico himself."

He paused for a moment and Lloyd said, "Carry on."

"I was wondering if you could help this young man. He doesn't belong here. He's a gentle soul and he's worked hard since he's been here to try to improve himself. I don't have a lot of money. Most of what I had was eaten up by my divorce and my legal bills. I could give you what I have or I don't know if you take cases pro bono or if you know a lawyer who does. I just want to help this young man."

"It's very nice that you want to help Chico," Lloyd responded, "but where were you when your own son needed you? Why weren't you there for him like you're there for Chico?"

"The mistakes I made with my son, both my sons, for that matter, are mine and mine alone. Don't let your anger at me affect your decision regarding this young man."

"I won't keep something like this from Spencer, that is if I decide to take the case. I'll keep the case itself confidential but I will tell him and if he adamantly does not want me to handle the case, then I won't. Is that clear?" Lloyd finally asked what had been on his mind since the start of the phone call. "Why are you doing this? Is it to look good for Spencer?"

"You would think that wouldn't you," William responded "but remember it was you who said you had to mention it to him, not me. My therapist and I spoke recently about the things I'd done and I asked her if she thought I was an awful person. She said her job was to get to the bottom of what landed me here; the rest was between me and my conscience. She's right. At the end of the day, can I look at myself in the mirror? Right now, I can't. Another thing I can't do is change my actions from the past. I can only try to go forward and do the right thing. I can't do anything for my own sons right now but perhaps I can do something for Chico and get back a little of the self respect I had many years ago. Will that change anything between me and my sons? I don't know, but I can't expect them to respect me and want a relationship with me if I can't even look at myself in the mirror."

"Well, as I said, I won't keep it a secret from Spencer. I feel there have been enough things kept from him already," Lloyd told him angrily.

There was silence for a moment and then, "So Spencer found out about the letters and I imagine he was understandably upset. I hope he wasn't too hard on Allie. It's obvious your daughter is a lovely young woman, inside and out."

Lloyd found himself grinning slightly. William Reid would have made a good lawyer, or profiler, for that matter. "Yes she is," he said, "and yes Spencer was upset but he seems to have calmed down now."

"I'm sorry about that. Anyway, I will leave the matter of Chico in your hands. You'll contact him if you decide to take the case and if not, perhaps you know of someone who would. Thank you for your time Mr. Graham."

"It's Lloyd and I'll give it some serious thought and if I decide to take it I will inform Spencer."

"That's all I can ask, good bye Lloyd."

"Good bye William," Lloyd ended the call and returned to the documents on his desk but suddenly he couldn't keep his mind on them. He picked up the phone.