Albany Police Station- 18 Hours Missing
Prentiss stood still as JJ slowly took the phone from her hand. "It's ok. It's ok- it's probably not as bad as we think it is," JJ lied, "You still want to do this?"
"I have to," Prentiss whispered, regaining her composure, "If they're hurting him, we need to do this now."
Within minutes, Prentiss stood on a platform in front of a crowd of reporters from local and national news stations. Behind her, Reid and Rossi stood close behind her while Morgan and JJ watched the press conference from inside.
"Agent Prentiss , are you ready?" An Albany officer asked. Prentiss brushed a strand of hair from her face and said, "Yes. I'm ready." Please let this work, she thought as the officer gave a ready signal to the cameraman.
The red light on the camera blinked twice before Prentiss took a breath and said, "My name is Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss and I am here to send a message to Mary Anne and Daniel Dent. We understand why you are committing these kidnappings, but we are begging you to cease and desist and to turn yourself in to the police and the FBI..."
Behind Prentiss, Reid glanced over to Rossi, who was watching the horde of reporters. "You think this is going to work?" the young agent asked.
"I hope so." Rossi paused and heard...
"Within the last forty eight hours, you took Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and public school teacher Mattie Kleau to complete your dreams. I cannot stress enough how much we understand what you want, but on behalf of Miss Kleau's family and friends, my team, and Agent Hotchner's family, I am begging that you contact the number shown on the screen to let us know that they are safe and sound."
"Reporters are getting angry," Reid commented on the dark expressions on reporter's faces.
"Well, they would be if Prentiss wasn't telling the bad guys that it's alright to kidnap people," Rossi replied.
"I hope this works; it's been 18 hours."
"Slow down, kid. One thing at a time; we'll get Aaron back safe and sound."
Prentiss took a breath and continued, "We are all scared and confused and want nothing but everyone to win in this situation. So I advise you, not I beg of you to call the number on the screen. Again, please call this number that appears on the screen and thank you," Prentiss finished. Before she could finish the last word, the horde of reporters jumped up, spurring out dozens of questions at the same time. Prentiss stepped off the podium and quickly returned to the courthouse.
"How was that?" she asked in a rushed voice.
"Good, you did great, Emily," Rossi answered. He turned to Reid and," Go and get some rest. Both of you."
"What about you?"
"I'll be alright." Rossi noticed that a light rainfall had started in the area. He's like a son to me...I'll rest when he's home.
Location Unknown: 19 hours 52 minutes missing
Hotch listened to the raindrops hit the rooftop while he lay on the kitchen floor next to Mattie.
After attempting to call Prentiss, Hotch had dropped the phone when a convulsion shot through his body. Mary Anne had tazed him, tazed him hard enough for him to be dazed and quickly restrained.
After Mary Anne had tied his wrist together, Daniel had hoisted him over his shoulder and brought him to the kitchen .Hotch winced at the memory of being tossed onto the floor as if he were trash.
"Manners! You need to learn your manners, Aaron! So does Mattie! "Daniel disappeared from Hotch's sight, leaving him alone with Mary Anne.
She growled at him, "I was so nice to you! This is how you repay me?" She fired off the second Taser clip and hit Hotch's leg. Hotch cried out and went into high convulsions again, this time having drool run down his cheek.
Daniel reappeared with Mattie and dropped her onto the floor next to Hotch. He stepped onto the kitchen and lit the flame. Within a minute, he took out pliers and turned to Hotch with a devious smile.
"I'm going to teach you a lesson that you both will never forget."
Hotch blinked twice before spitting out blood. In his rage, Daniel had pulled out two molars from each of them.
If we anger him anymore, he'll escalate and we'll be dead. Please find me guys…please.
He tried to close his eyes, but suddenly heard a yelp come from the living room where Mary Anne had been cleaning up. She turned up the television where they could hear...
"The hunt for the kidnappers responsible for five kidnappings in the area has nearly surpassed the twenty hour mark. A press conference was released an hour ago from the FBI..."
Then he heard Prentiss' voice...
"You took Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner and public..."
"She's pretty and she knows you, Aaron. Maybe we can use her instead," Mary Anne said as she took a step towards Mattie. Hotch mumbled out the best he could, "No…don't want-"
Daniel, who was sitting on the couch called out, "Babe, let's get her. I like this….. Emily Prentiss." Sporting a malicious smile, Daniel picked up his phone and dialed the Albany police number.
Albany Police Station- 20 Hours minutes Missing
"Agent Prentiss?" a young secretary called, sticking her head into the conference room. Prentiss turned around and answered, "That's me? What can I-"
"There's a man on line 1 and he wants to speak to you," the secretary answered, "I think it's one of the Dent's."
Rossi immediately began dialing Garcia on his cell phone; Prentiss gave the woman a weird look before her mind wrapped around that the Dent's had responded that quickly. She placed her hand on the conference room phone and looked to Rossi to see of Garcia was getting a trace. After he gave her a nod, she clicked the speaker phone button and answered calmly, "Hello?"
"Is this Miss Emily Prentiss?" the caller asked. Prentiss sighed and answered, "Yes, this is Agent Prentiss. Who am I speaking with?"
"You know who I am. I'm the one that took Aaron and Mattie."
Prentiss swallowed and said, " I see. If you saw the press conference, that you know that we'd appreciate the release of Aaron and Mattie."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. My wife and I have worked too hard for this."
"There has to be a way of negotiation, Mr. Dent."
"There is- you can be Aaron's princess."
"I can't do that, Mr. Dent."
There was a pause on the line before Daniel spoke again. "Then I can't release Mattie or Aaron. We'd appreciate if you came. I can get rid of Mattie quickly- just like I did the other women."
Prentiss felt her heart drop and replied as calmly as she could, "Please do not kill Mattie, Mr. Dent."
"No, I will not. Emily, I also know that you have my son. A friend of ours saw him leave with an agent at the mall."
Damn it! "Please, Mr. Dent."
"No." Prentiss exchanged looks with the rest of the team. There is a way around. It's dangerous and stupid, but it can bring the both of them home. "Mr. Dent, how about this? I'll take Mattie's spot and you can let her go."
"No, she'll talk with the police and spoil our plans."
Go deeper! "How about….I'll take Mattie's place, you let her go, and….I'll return your son to you. I'll be cooperative in anything you want me to do," Prentiss stated, stepping away from the angry and un-approving looks on her colleagues faces. Morgan touched her shoulder to hint his disapproval, but Prentiss brushed him off.
"….Fine. Downer's Field is where we'll make the exchange in one hour. Be there on time with my son ALONE or I will hand deliver Aaron in body parts regardless if you return my son to me or not. I don't want to be followed either."
The line went dead and Prentiss closed her eyes. I hope to hell that this works.