Chapter 7-Meeting With An Enemy
Morgan was en-route to the law firm of Bradford and Hordford where Brandon Cooper was employed. He wanted to meet with the attorney on a neutral ground where the guy would not be able to try anything, and what better place than where he worked. Morgan promised himself he would try and control his temper with Cooper which was another reason he wanted to question him at work. He slowly pulled into the visitors' parking lot outside the small law firm and got out of the SUV. Looking around, he then walked into the building heading for the elevators. After pressing the button and while waiting for one to arrive, Morgan's cell rang. Looking at it he saw who was calling and answered the call.
"Hotch? Did the lab results show anything?"
"Nothing," Hotch replied. "Then again, I didn't really expect anything would be found. "Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm in the building where Bradford and Hordford are. Why?"
"I thought you, Reid and JJ were going to visit the law firms."
"That was before you and Rossi left for Quantico. After you both left we figured it would be better if Reid and JJ visited the law firms, Prentiss talked to the families of Atkins and Collins while I questioned Cooper."
"Okay. Listen, Rossi and I are in Alexandria now; wait for us. I want to be present when Brandon Cooper is questioned."
"You sure, Hotch? I mean, this guy's going to flip when he sees you after all this time."
"It doesn't matter and yes, I'm sure. All the more reason for me to be there."
"Okay, I'll wait in the lobby of the building for you."
"Fine. We should be there very soon." The call was disconnected.
Letting out a deep breath, Morgan pocketed the cell and walked back to where the entrance to the building was to wait for his boss. While he waited, he thought about what Garcia had told him about Cooper which wasn't much. He stood in front of the thick Plexiglas doors and watched the people coming and going into and out of the building where he was as he kept his eyes peeled for the SUV. He knew questioning Brandon Cooper was going to be difficult by itself, but once he learned that Hotch had been threatened would probably not even care. To Morgan, if Cooper turned out to be the UnSub he only hoped he could control his temper long enough to slap a pair of handcuffs on him and get him back to police headquarters. He would be damned if he was going to let this sleazebag do to his boss and friend what he may have done to the others. Morgan continued to wait with folded arms when he saw an SUV park behind his.
Brandon Cooper was about six feet tall and two hundred pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was also a powerfully-built individual unlike his younger brother Shane, and was five years older than his brother. But more importantly, he hated Aaron Hotchner since the profiler had been a prosecutor and made no bones about it.
He sat his briefcase down on his desk before sitting down. Sighing, he ran a hand over his brown hair. The last thing he needed was having to talk with the FBI about the murders of five attorneys first thing this morning, or any morning. He had been en-route to the office when he received a call on his cell phone from an Agent Morgan that he wanted to speak with him about the killings. Cooper told him he was en-route to the office and to come there. When he read about the murdered attorneys in the paper, he noticed from their photographs how much each man resembled Aaron Hotchner. That was a name he hadn't spoken or heard spoken in a long time but would never forget. He knew about Aaron Hotchner having left the District Attorney's office after Shane's case and joining the FBI. He wondered if Hotchner would accompany Morgan? If he did, Cooper would have a few choice words for the former prosecutor. But, all he could do now is wait and see.
"Hotch. Rossi," Morgan said holding the door open for the other profilers to enter. "You made good time getting here."
"Not much traffic this time of the morning anyway," Rossi added. "What floor is Bradford and Hordford on?"
"The seventh. Cooper is expecting me," Morgan said as he led the way to the bank of elevators and pressed the up button and waited. It was only a few minutes before one of the elevators opened and was empty. The agents stepped in and Rossi pushed the button for floor number seven; the ride up was silent with nobody uttering a word until the doors slid open when they had reached the seventh floor and the agents stepped out into a short hallway. Down the hall to the left was a set of double wooden doors with the name 'Bradford & Hordford' printed on it. The agents with Morgan leading, opened the door and walked in, coming soon to a desk behind which sat a young blond receptionist busy typing. The nameplate on the desk said: ROSLYN SHEPHARD. She paused and looked at the three men as each of them held up their FBI identification for her to see.
"I'm Agent Morgan," said Morgan. "These are Agents Hotchner and Rossi of the FBI. We're here to see Brandon Cooper. He's expecting us."
"One moment please," she said picking up the receiver and punched two digits. After a few short moments. "Yes, Mr. Cooper? There are three gentlemen here from the FBI asking to speak with you. They say you're expecting them. Yes, sir. Right away." She hung up the receiver and glanced up at the three agents. "He's waiting for you. Down the hall and turn left. Second door on the left."
"Thank you," Hotch replied. He could feel the secretary's eyes watching their receding backs. Reaching the appropriate office, Morgan knocked on the door, and opened it when he heard a voice on the other side telling him to come in. The three men walked in and immediately Cooper's eyes bore into Hotchner. Seeing the tension building, Morgan looked at the man seated at the desk.
"I'm Agent Morgan. We spoke on the phone. These are Agents Rossi and Hotch…"
"I know who you are!" Cooper said testily, glaring hard at Hotchner who returned the stare with equal intensity. "I'll never forget your name and don't need to be introduced to you, Agent Hotchner."He glanced momentarily at Morgan and Rossi with a cool expression before again glaring at Hotchner. "Gentlemen, have a seat and let's get this over with. I have things to do." He waited as the agents sat down in the three vacant chairs facing his desk.
"How does it feel, Agent Hotchner?" asked Cooper once the men were seated.
"How does what feel?" Hotch asked crossing his legs. He continued with what was known as the 'Hotchner stare' by the others.
"To know you convicted an innocent man. My brother needed help, not prison."
"Your brother knew exactly what he was doing when he shot that police officer," Hotch explained. "He had been evaluated by at least two psychiatrists and deemed sane and knew right from wrong. Your brother was and is a sadistic killer without a conscience, but we are not here to discuss your brother."
Cooper jumped up to his feet, glaring at Hotch, his fists clenching and unclenching. But as he did so, Morgan got to his feet just as quickly, staring equally hard at Cooper.
"I suggest you sit down, Mr. Cooper," he said in a warning tone. He maintained eye contact with the attorney who looked at him and slowly sat back down, his eyes turning back to Hotchner. Morgan returned to his seat. "We have some questions regarding the murder of your former co-worker at Schonberg and Company, Ronald Brennaman."
"I had nothing to do with that," Cooper replied. "After I left from Schonberg and Company I never kept in touch with Ron or the company."
"We understand you resigned rather than be fired by them because of the sexual harassment of Mrs. Brennaman," Rossi said. Cooper didn't respond but momentarily glanced down at his hands.
"That was a mistake," he admitted not looking up. "I was sorry about that."
"Sorry for what you did or sorry you were caught?" Hotch asked. He saw Cooper look up at him warily. "I made a mistake. Haven't you ever made a mistake Agent Hotchner?" Hotch didn't reply. "No, I guess you don't believe you have," he said sarcastically.
"Where were you the day Ron Brennaman was shot and killed?" asked Morgan.
"I was here in the office for an early morning meeting with my bosses about a case I'm assigned. You can check with anybody here. The meeting began at eight am and didn't end until around twelve noon. I then went to lunch until one pm after which I met with my client from one-thirty pm until 5pm. Then I went home."
"What about your brother, Shane?" asked Hotch.
"What about him?" asked Cooper.
"Have you heard from or seen him since he escaped from prison? Can his whereabouts be accounted for?" Hotch asked calmly.
Cooper's eyes darkened. "You leave Shane out of this! Besides, I haven't heard from him and don't know where he is and that's the truth. Besides, if Shane would go after anybody it would be you."
Rossi crossed his legs casually and folded his arms. A smirk appeared on his face. "Speaking of which, Mr. Cooper. Have either you or your brother that you know of sent Agent Hotchner any threatening letters or made any threatening phone calls of late?"
Cooper's face suddenly brightened and an amused grin appeared. "So, Agent Hotchner, somebody's threatening you? Well, don't ask me to feel sorry for you because I don't. And when I hear the good news I will buy myself a bottle of champagne to celebrate and invite that person to my house. Maybe then you'll learn not to screw around with an innocent person's life and believe you can get away with it even if you're no longer a prosecutor. I can't wait for somebody to knock that smug, arrogant expression off your face permanently."
"If I were you, Mr. Cooper," Rossi said in all seriousness. "I'd watch what I wish for. See, if anything happens to Agent Hotchner, you are going to be the first person we come and see. So if you're hiding your brother, or know where he is, I suggest you tell him what I just said."
"And believe me when I tell you, man, you won't like it if we have to come back here because something happened to Agent Hotchner," Morgan added.
"Must be hard knowing your brother's out there somewhere and avoids you like the plague because he wants nothing to do with you," Rossi said.
Cooper, stiffening at Rossi's words, leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "You can come back here in case that happens and I'll still say I have no sympathy about it." He checked his watch. "And now, gentlemen, unless you have more questions, I must ask you to leave because I have a meeting to attend regarding a client."
Morgan, Rossi and Hotchner all got to their feet. As Morgan and Rossi headed to the door, Hotch paused and looked at Cooper again.
"Mr. Cooper, a word of advice…" Hotch began. "If you know where your brother is or you hear from him, I strongly advise you to convince him to turn himself in before the police find him, because I can assure you your brother right now is the prime suspect in these murders."
Cooper got to his feet slowly and leaned forward with palms down on his desk. "And why should I do that? So you can frame him for threatening your life? Not a chance."
Hotch's face was unreadable. "No. To save his life." He turned and walked towards the door.
"Wait a minute," Cooper responded. "What exactly are you trying to say, Agent Hotchner? Is this one of your profiler tactics?"
Standing beside Rossi and Morgan, Hotch looked back at the lawyer. "No. Despite what you may think of me, Mr. Cooper, I prosecuted your brother honestly because the evidence showed he was guilty. When I said you should convince him to turn himself in, I say that because right now he's suspected of five murders and the police are looking for him for that in addition to escaping from prison. As he was convicted by a jury for willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, murdering two people during the commission of a robbery, one of which was a police officer, he was fortunate he was given a life sentence without parole instead of the death penalty he deserved. But should anything happen to me I can assure you your brother will receive the death penalty."(1)
Cooper's face darkened. "You arrogant bastard!" he said but didn't move from behind his desk.
"Just think about it," Hotch advised as he, Rossi and Morgan walked out of the office with Morgan closing the door behind them.
He watched as the three FBI agents left the building and got into their SUV with the negro agent sliding behind the wheel; Hotchner and the older agent in the back seat. He sat in his own vehicle watching, waiting for them to pull away and leave so he could follow. He knew Aaron would be back soon and he was right. As the SUV pulled away from the curb he did as well and kept one car length behind them. He was glad he had rented a different car from the one he had used when he followed Hotchner to Quantico. It wouldn't do for him to be spotted now before he put his plan in action tomorrow. The very thought of it made him smile.
Tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow he would have Aaron Hotchner in his clutches and nobody would know where he was until it was too late to save the agent. He was almost giddy with excitement. He decided it was time to rattle Hotch's cage again, so he turned on the disposable cell, pressed the necessary buttons, and waited as the phone on the other end rang.
Hotch reached into his inside jacket pocket and grabbed his cell checking to see who was calling. He was surprised when the caller ID reflected no phone number. He looked over at Rossi. "I think it's our friend," he said. He saw Rossi look at him, worried while Morgan glanced over his shoulder at his boss. Hotch continued staring at the ringing phone in his hands.
"Want me to answer it?" Rossi asked.
Letting out a deep breath, Hotch answered the phone and put the call on speaker. "Hotchner."
"Hello Aaron," a calm voice said. "Glad you decided to return to Alexandria. Although I must admit I thought you might stay in Quantico a bit longer."
Hotch's eyes narrowed. "Look, I don't know who you are or what game you're playing, but it stops right here and right now."
"Why, Aaron. You are rather testy at the moment. Must be from visiting your friend Brandon Cooper. Tell me, Aaron; was he as pleased to see you as you were to see him?"
Hotch's lips formed a straight line as his face darkened. "Look, I'm not about to tell you anything. If you've got something to say to me than I suggest you say it and stop with your childish games. And if you don't have anything to say then I'm disconnecting this call."
There was a long pause on the other end. Finally, as Hotch was about to disconnect the call the caller spoke. "Very well. Since you're in such a bad mood I'll keep it short. "I'm watching you always. Wherever you are, wherever you go, I will be right behind you. You can't escape from me before it's time for us to meet. Everywhere you are I will be right there and you'll never know when or where I will strike. You're going to pay for what you did to me, Aaron. If you believe nothing else believe that. The clock is ticking so I suggest you start putting your affairs in order. Your time is getting rapidly shorter."
"We're going to find you, you bastard!" Morgan hissed. "So if anybody's time is getting shorter it's yours."
"Ah yes, that must be Agent Morgan who is in such a huff at the moment. I will overlook your outburst and chalk it up to worry about your boss."
Morgan glanced again over his shoulder at Hotch and Rossi.
"Just what kind of sick, twisted game are you playing?" Rossi stormed angrily. "If you think…."
"I suggest, Agent Rossi, that you control yourself or when I have Agent Hotchner he will be punished for your rudeness. So don't push me!" the voice said trying to remain calm but there was a noticeable change in his voice now. Rossi decided to try a different tact.
"I apologize for raising my voice. It won't happen again. It's just that I'm very worried about Agent Hotchner. Surely you can understand that?"
"Of course. That's why I'm letting your outburst slide this time. But enough idle chit-chat. Agent Hotchner, as I suggested, you should get your affairs in order because you will soon be joining the rest of us who are dead." The call then was disconnected.
Morgan looked over his shoulder at Hotch. "What did he just say? Something about you joining the rest of us who are dead?"
Rossi and Hotch looked at each other as Hotch dialed Garcia's phone number. The phone was still on speaker.
Penelope spun around in her chair and faced her computers. She activated her headset. "Talk dirty to me, my chocolate God of Sexiness." Hotch and Rossi looked at each other again while Morgan looked like he wanted to hide.
"Penelope, it's Hotch."
"I apologize, sir. I thought I was speaking to my chocolate God of Sexiness. I mean, I didn't know it was only you. I mean, not that you aren't sexy, sir, it's just that I thought…."
"Garcia, it's okay and stop babbling. You sound like Reid."
"Yes, sir. What can I do for you?"
"I just received phone call on my cell and I need you to trace it if you can."
Penelope could be heard clicking away on her computer keyboard. "Just hang on one moment, sir." She was ready to die from embarrassment as this was the second time she had mistook her boss's call for Morgan's. She'd have to be more careful next time. "Nothing, sir."
"Nothing, Garcia?" asked Rossi. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. Has to be a disposable phone again." She could hear Rossi utter 'damn' in a low voice.
"Hotch?" Garcia said in a small voice.
"Yes, Garcia?" her boss replied wearily.
"I apologize again, sir. It won't happen again."
"Forget it, and thanks, Garcia." Hotch disconnected the call and looked at the back of Morgan's head. "Morgan, I think we really need to keep you and Garcia off the phone with each other."
Morgan could only hide the smirk on his face.
(1) Virginia does have the death penalty and according to responses I received both from the forum and from the person who is reviewing my story for correctness, the penalty for premeditation in the murder of a federal agent is the death penalty. I discovered in my research that first degree murder involving a police officer is the willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer during the commission of a robbery or attempted robbery. However, I also discovered that life without parole is an option.