Chapter 15-More Torture, Humiliation and an I.D.
Rossi and Morgan were still seated around the conference table an hour later when Prentiss returned to the conference room holding two photographs in her hand, and she appeared excited judging by her facial expression and body language. Walking up to the table, she laid both photos side-by-side in the center of the table. One photo was of a stocky man somewhere in his early to mid forties with dark reddish-brown hair and brown eyes; the other was of a slender man approximately the same age but with light brown hair and bluish-gray eyes who world have resembled Hotch more had it not been for the different hair and eye color.
"Todd told me the man he knew as Jerry Wartham is this man," she explained pointing to the photo of the man with light brown hair. "But I stopped by to see Garcia on the way back here and had her run a check on both men, and this is not Jerry Wartham. This is Jason Armitage. The other man with dark reddish-brown hair and brown eyes is the real Jerry Wartham who was killed in a drive-by shooting, and from what Todd told me the time-line shows Armitage showed up a week after Wartham's death with Wartham's identification and his own picture on Wartham's driver's license. The strange thing also is that Wartham was foreman on the jury that convicted Armitage when Hotch tried him. That seems to be the only time their paths crossed. Armitage must have kept track of Wartham and when he broke out of prison figured he needed to get a job that would enable him to keep tabs on Hotch so he could set his plan in motion."
"Sounds like Armitage may have killed Wartham in order to steal his identity," said Morgan grimly.
Rossi picked up Armitage's photo and studied it carefully. "Y'know, if you give Armitage black hair and use dark brown colored contact lenses with his face he could be Hotch's twin." He passed the photo to Morgan who studied it.
"So each of the murders was a case of mistaken identity because Armitage thought each time he had found Hotch and killed his victim only to discover later he had killed the wrong man," he said handing the photo back to the older agent. "The only connection the deceased men had to Hotch was that they happened to resemble him."
Rossi took the photo back and looked at it. "And when he finally located Hotch, he got a job in the deli downstairs so he could keep tabs on him and learn when he came to and left work. He also pumped information from the deli owner about him. I'm guessing he made sure he was never present when Hotch entered the deli in the morning to get coffee when he came to work because if Hotch saw him he would have noticed the resemblance immediately."
"Exactly," Prentiss agreed. "He spent a lot of time setting everything up. And once he had everything set up and saw all of us together leaving that day, he figured it was the perfect time to spring his trap and quit the deli job so he could follow us to Alexandria."
"We have to find this bastard," Morgan announced with clasped hands on top of the table.
"And we will, believe me. He's not going to get away," Rossi assured him. They all looked around when JJ, her long hair flowing behind her and carrying a folder, quickly walked toward them.
"The press conference is set for four p.m. as you requested," she informed the older agent. He handed her Armitage's photo. "Is this him?" she asked.
"That is Jason Armitage," Rossi informed her. "I want you to show his photo along with Aaron's during the press conference. People need to see the physical resemblance between the two men. Maybe somebody saw Armitage."
"Will do," JJ replied tucking the photo inside the folder she had containing the information for the press conference. "I'll make sure to get a copy of Hotch's photo before I hold the press conference."
A few minutes later, an excited Reid walked into the conference room. He held five copies of a computer printout and handed one to each agent. Looking at it, each agent noticed three names printed on the single sheet; then looked into the brown eyes of the young agent.
"Garcia and I managed to reduce the list of nine doctors who prescribed Phenobarbital. Four of them only recently retired after closing their practices a year after their licenses were pulled due to ethics problems; two more stopped taking new patients over two years ago and up to that time gradually reduced the number of patients they were treating and finally stopped taking any new ones. That leaves us with three who still have an active practice, have been prescribing Phenobarbital, and are all located in Fairfax."
"Doctor Phillip Dexter, Doctor Celia Harbinger and Doctor Alex Morrow," said Rossi who checked his watch. "We have several hours before the press conference. Emily, see Doctor Dexter; Morgan, you see Doctor Morrow and Reid, visit Doctor Harbinger. Then everybody come back here so we can organize the information for the press conference."
"And while they're doing that," said JJ. "I'll have Garcia check and get me all the personal information she can on Armitage."
But before the other agents could get up from their seats in preparation to leave for their assignments, a young first-year agent who Reid knew to be Michael Walker, came up to them and handed Rossi a medium-size padded envelope. It was addressed to the BAU with attention to Agent David Rossi.
"This just arrived, Agent Rossi," he said. "Some guy walked in and handed it to me. He said I should give it to you."
"Some guy?" asked Morgan becoming angry. "Please tell us you can describe this guy."
The agent, embarrassed, hung his head. "I'm afraid I didn't pay attention. Sorry."
Morgan, looking up towards the heavens, ran both hands down his face and uttered a four-letter word loud enough for everybody to hear. He knew this guy was somewhat incompetent and just how he became an FBI agent was beyond him. He glared at the man with his version of the 'Hotchner stare.' "Damn it, man. Somebody kidnapped Agent Hotchner and you may have just let the UnSub walk out of here." He glanced at Reid. "Reid, get downstairs and see if the video cameras have a shot of our guy." The others clucked their tongues with annoyance.
"On my way," Reid hollered over his shoulder as he ran towards the double doors of the BAU office.
"Next time, agent…" Rossi explained angrily. "…pay attention when somebody hands you something."
"Yes, sir," Walker replied softly feeling embarrassed that he may have allowed a kidnapper to get away. Seeing every set of eyes on him, he quickly turned and walked away wanting to get away as fast as possible.
Rossi looked at the envelope in his hands. The older profiler knew he should have worn latex gloves before handling the envelope, but figured the perpetrator had been careful not to leave any prints anywhere else except inside one latex glove obviously unaware prints could be left inside the gloves, so chances were remote there wouldn't be any on the envelope. Ripping it open, the agent reached inside and removed a diamond case in which was a compact disc around which was a single sheet of paper with an elastic band around everything. Removing the elastic, Rossi removed the sheet of paper and unfolded it. He read the contents aloud while holding the case in his hand. "Dear Agents, enclosed is a video of Agent Hotchner. Enjoy the show. I will be in touch." Rossi handed the case to JJ hesitantly. "Play it."
Taking the case, JJ set about getting it ready for viewing as Reid walked hurriedly back into the office.
"I couldn't tell if it was our UnSub or not," he said dejectedly. "The only view on the tape was of someone who appeared to be wearing a courier's uniform but had a cap pulled down very low on his face and sunglasses. You can see him hurry inside, hand the envelope to Agent Walker and walk quickly out the door. There's no indication as to which direction he went after he left the parking lot. But I had security turn the tape over to Garcia to see if she can enlarge the image so we can hopefully get a better look at his face." He spied the paper in Rossi's hand. "Was that in the envelope?" he asked.
Rossi handed him the letter and told him about the compact disk it was wrapped around. Reading it quickly, everyone noticed the young agent's body stiffen. Reid looked up distressed at the older agent before glancing over as JJ returned holding the remote in her hand.
"It's ready," she said grimly as she pressed the 'play' button afraid to see what was on the disc. She sat down as the image of a bed appeared on which lay a restrained Aaron Hotchner on his back clad only in his boxers and facing the camera.
"My God!" Emily cried out in shock. "Hotch's face! Look at his face and his chest!"
As she watched the image, tears began to roll down JJ's cheeks at seeing her boss's face carved up as it was. She thought Hotch was one of the best-looking men she had ever seen and admitted she might even have a bit of a schoolgirl crush on the handsome profiler. And to see him this way broke her heart. Prentiss clamped a hand over her mouth as her eyes glistened. She couldn't bear thinking how Hotch was suffering and would probably suffer before they found him. But she knew her boss to be a strong man and would endure whatever Armitage did to him in order to survive. And to Emily, Hotch would survive this. Reid swallowed hard as tears began rolling down his cheeks. It broke his heart seeing the man he thought of as a father figure since Gideon had left suffering this way, and wondered how and if he would survive the aftermath. What kind of man would he be afterward? Reid was inwardly terrified to think how Hotch might be following this experience. But regardless, Reid knew he had to be there to help him in whatever capacity he could; he owed it to him. Morgan's face darkened and his eyes hardened as he ground his jaw. Watching the man he wanted to emulate, suffer as he was filled him with a rage he never knew he could feel. All he knew was that if he got five minutes alone with Armitage, he would kill him with his bare hands. Nobody treated his boss, friend and mentor this way. Morgan made a promise to himself that he would be there for Hotch even if he didn't want him to. He needs to know I believe he can still lead this team and I have faith in him, Morgan told himself. Rossi's expression didn't change; but inside he was seething at seeing the man who was not only his boss, friend, and confidant, but a man he considered a son, being tortured for the sick enjoyment of someone for doing his job was more than he could stomach. Rossi would be there for Hotch no matter how long it took for him to recover. Hotch was this team's leader and Unit Chief, and Rossi would do everything he could to help his friend see that regardless of what happened to him, he could still effectively lead this team. To Rossi, Hotch and the team needed each other and nobody was going to separate them.
"I suggest you try and enjoy it, Aaron. I know I will," said the man wearing a 'Lone Ranger' mask. He was holding two things in his hands. One was recognized as a pair of handcuffs.
"That looks like a remote control of some kind," said Morgan, a pained expression on his face seeing what had happened to his boss and friend.
They noticed the man hold out the item in his hand and press something. The scream of pain emanating from their boss's lips was nearly too much to bear. JJ turned away from the image and covered her mouth with one hand while the others saw the perpetrator, using the handcuffs, adjust Hotch's body until he was now on his side facing the camera still hissing from the pain.
"Look at the belt around his waist," Morgan explained. "That looks like a stun belt. When you press a remote control, it sends 50,000 volts of electricity into the area of your kidney. That bastard!"
"Smile for the camera, Aaron."
Then they watched in horror as the kidnapper snuggled up behind Hotch, and draping an arm across his body, slid his hand beneath his boxers
"You should relax."
"C'mon, Aaron, and show your team how much enjoyment you're getting out of this."
"My God," Rossi muttered in anger. "He's cut up Aaron's face and chest. And now he's molesting him sexually." He pounded a fist down on the table in rage. They watched the man then kiss Hotch's shoulder.
"So good, considering you're a guy. We must do this again soon. Very soon."
They watched as the man then got up from the bed and walked away before the image disappeared. JJ, managing to watch the last part of the image, pressed the 'stop' button turning off the television screen. For a long while the agents simply sat and stared quietly in shock at what they had seen. JJ wiped her eyes with her fingers while Prentiss now allowed tears to roll down her cheeks, speechless; Reid, his eyes glistening, looked upward as he wiped his face with the back of his sleeve. Morgan was silently staring at a spot on the table while Rossi's face was unreadable. But his dark eyes revealed how he truly felt inside.
After sensing the others had regained some of their composure, Rossi sighed. "Reid, Emily, Morgan, get going to the doctors' offices," he said quietly. He watched as the three agents slowly got up preparing to leave on their assigned tasks. But only Prentiss lingered and looked at Rossi who had a grim expression on his face as he massaged his forehead.
"Dave? You all right?" she asked, worried.
Rossi took in a deep breath and with the pain evident in his eyes, looked into Prentiss's red, wet eyes. "I think it's time I made the most difficult phone call I've ever had to make." He exhaled through his nose. "I have to call Haley and inform her about Aaron."
"Do you want me to do it instead?" asked JJ knowing Rossi looked upon Hotch as a son as well as being his friend and confidant.
With a small smile, Rossi shook his head. "Thanks. But I think it's best that I do it."
As he made his way to the upper level where his office was, Rossi stopped outside Aaron Hotchner's office and stared through the Venetian blinds gazing inside. It was strange seeing the agent's office empty; and the older agent wondered if his friend would ever sit inside that office again, or would someone else take it over. And how would he feel seeing someone else permanently occupying that office. C'mon, Rossi. You gotta stop thinking like that. Hotch will be found and found alive. To think any other way would cause doubt. Besides, you can't start thinking like Strauss because Aaron is alive and that video proves it despite what he's suffered so far. Shaking his head, Rossi brought his mind back to reality and opened the door to Hotch's office and entered, closing the door behind him. Sitting behind the desk, he paused and took a deep breath before going through his friend's Rolodex until he found the name, address and phone number of Haley's parents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He then picked up the telephone, pressed the buttons, then listened to the phone ring on the other end rehearsing in his own mind what he would say. He was still thinking when he heard a click on the other end and a familiar voice spoke.
Brooks residence." It was a feminine voice.
"Haley?"
"Yes. Who's calling?" She thought the male voice sounded familiar but she couldn't place it at the moment.
"Haley, it's David Rossi." He then heard the suspicion leave her voice and become friendly.
"David, how are you?"
Rossi didn't want to frighten her. "I'm fine. How are you and Jack? Your parents?"
"We're all fine. Jack is having a ball here. I just wish Aaron could have come with us." Haley suddenly sensed something in his voice that made her suspect something wasn't right especially since nobody on the team ever called her except Aaron or unless something was very wrong or had happened to her husband.
David, why are you calling me? Has something happened to Aaron? Is he all right?"
Rossi took a deep breath then let it out. "Haley, I don't want you to be alarmed, but Aaron has been kidnapped." He didn't want to give her all the specifics over the phone. So, he would give her limited information.
"What? Is Aaron all right? What's happened? Please, David, I have to know. Is he all right?"
Rossi sighed. "Haley, we believe he's all right for now."
"What do you mean by all right for now? Is he or isn't he?" she interrupted in a state of near panic and worry.
"We believe he's being tortured by a kidnapper who blames him for convicting him when Aaron was a prosecutor. He's threatening to kill him when he's finished torturing him."
"Oh my God!" Haley wailed; Rossi hearing the pain in her voice. "Jack and I are leaving right away. We'll return as soon as I can get us out of here. I want to be there when you bring Aaron home."
"No, Haley," Rossi said. "You and Jack should stay where you are for now. If you're here, you'll just worry and have to keep Jack from worrying about his dad. Staying with your family will at least give you somebody to lean on for now. Besides, there's nothing you can do here. We'll find him, Haley. We'll find Aaron; then you and Jack can come home."
Haley knew Rossi was right and was just looking out for her and Jack for Aaron. There was nothing she could do if she came home now. Also, she could be putting herself and Jack in danger if she returned and that wouldn't help anybody and could make things worse. What if this kidnapper was after her and Jack as well? No, she would stay with her parents for now.
"All right. I'll do what you ask for now. Just promise me you'll find Aaron. Promise me that you'll find him and bring him home to us."
"I promise you. We'll find Aaron and bring him home alive. You have my word."
Armitage re-entered the room where Aaron Hotchner was again lying on his back, restrained. He noticed Hotchner didn't look at him this time, but seemed to keep his eyes focused on the ceiling. He walked over to the bed and sat down. "Look at me, Aaron," he ordered.
"Go away," Hotch said not looking at the man.
Becoming angry, Armitage viciously backhanded the agent causing the partially healed cuts on his face to sting, and then slapped him again. But Hotch still refused to look at his captor.
" I suggest you do as you're told, Aaron, if you know what's good for you."
"No."
With a sudden snarl, Armitage roughly grabbed Hotch's lower jaw and forcibly turned his face towards him so the agent had no choice but to look at him. "When I tell you to do something, you make sure you do it. Do we understand each other?"
"Go. To. Hell," Hotch accentuated each word.
Releasing his captive's jaw, Armitage sighed and reached into his pocket, removing the pocket knife and after opening it, held it up. He pressed the blade flat against Hotch's groin.
"Maybe I should remove one of these," he said calmly as he drew the blade back and forth across Hotch's testicles. He noticed the agent's eyes watching the blade, swallowing hard. Armitage then moved the blade and laid it flat against Hotch's penis. "Of course I could remove this instead and make you totally useless. But then your pretty little wife would be totally repulsed and disgusted that you could no longer satisfy her and seek to fulfill her needs elsewhere."
Hotch, who up to now had been tolerating his captor's torture and taunts, and had been struggling to control his temper to keep Armitage from escalating, momentarily lost that control. He glared at his captor. "Why would I care about satisfying my wife?" he interjected more harshly than he planned. "You planning on letting me go?"
Armitage raised his eyebrows in surprise at the agent's spirit; figuring he would have broken him by now. "You never know. Maybe I will and maybe I won't. Or maybe your team will find you in time." He smirked. "What's the matter, Aaron. You don't trust your team to find you ?"
Hotch didn't respond but continued staring at his captor. But he refused to let his captor see that he had struck a nerve with the agent. What if the team couldn't find him? What if Armitage refused to let him speak with his team and let them know where he was? Hotch silently told himself he might be on his own and have to try and get himself out; if not, he would never see his family or team again.
With a sigh, Armitage continued moving the blade around the agent's genital area. "Maybe I should remove everything and make you undesirable to all women period." He chuckled as he applied pressure with the blade watching Hotch wince. He removed the knife and gripped the handle tightly. "I guess I'll have to do this…." Armitage plunged the blade into Hotch's left shoulder with so much force, the blade was buried up to the hilt causing the agent to grit his teeth and hiss with pain as the blade was slowly pulled out. "And this." He then placed the tip on the right side of Hotch's throat resting it on his shoulder blade, and drew it lightly across his throat but leaving a thin line of red in it's wake as it just barely broke the skin but caused no serious injury.
Hotch grimaced as the blade made it's way across his throat. He figured he should consider himself fortunate Armitage didn't slice open his throat and let him simply bleed to death. "I'm sorry," he whispered hoping to put his captor at ease so he'd stop.
Armitage smiled as he ceased cutting and put his knife away. "Apology accepted," he said with a smirk. "Just keep in mind, Aaron, that I am in charge here and when I speak to you you'd better answer of suffer the consequences. Understand?"
Hotch swallowed despite the pain the cut across his throat caused. "I…understand. Won't…happen again."
"Good. Well, I must leave you to rest for awhile. Later this afternoon I want to call your team and see what their reaction is to the video of you enjoying my administrations before I let them hear you beg for them to save you and them knowing they can't. Should be amusing don't you think?"
Hotch ran his tongue over his dry lips. "Why do you want…me to…beg them…to…save me?"
"Why?" Armitage leaned forward and put his mouth close to Hotch's ear. "Because to have you beg them for help would embarrass and humiliate you. That's why." He chuckled. "But I really must go now." He got up and left the room leaving Hotch alone to suffer in silence from the pain in his throat. Now that he was alone, Hotch had a chance to go over what was happening and there was one thing of which he was now positive. His captor was beginning to spiral out of control and that wasn't a good thing to have happening. He also knew if Armitage continued spiraling, it wouldn't be long before he was dead. He knew it was more urgent than ever that he let his team know he was in Fairfax, Virginia so they could at least narrow their search area. Then an idea came to Hotch as to how he could let them know. And he'd do it when he hopefully spoke with his team.