Acceptable Risk
Chapter 11
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It was late in the evening when Emily, Mei-Lin and the two BAU men returned home. Mrs. Johnson had left for the evening by then but she had kept dinner on the stove; Sheppard's pie and freshly baked sourdough bread. Dessert was blueberry cobbler.
After a quick wash-up, the four sat down gratefully for a delicious and hearty meal. Discussion on the table was about the day's event; Reid's interpretation of the books.
"Most of the books was about how the injustice done to the people in the Middle East." Reid began. "Repression is the normal anger expressed here in all the books…although, in the books, there were a lot of anger express…"
Hotch and Emily rolled their eyes while Mei-Lin leaned in with fascination.
"Reid," Emily cut in. "The concise version, please." She arched her brow after for emphasis.
His face slightly reddened, Reid nodded, "It's something to do with nuclear control."
Emily and Mei-Lin exchanged looks.
Hotch caught their exchanges, "What is it? You two knew about it?"
Emily turned to him, "This information does not leave this room."
The two men nodded.
"The crate intercepted by INTERPOL is actually not a coincidence." Emily revealed. "Clyde Easter and I removed it from Syria when we were there six months ago."
Mei-Lin turned to stare at her, "But I thought you went to Beirut…to…"
Emily shook her head, "Need to know, Mei-Lin. INTERPOL intercepted a signal … it's from your father." She said softly.
The young Asian stood up suddenly, "Daddy! You mean he's still alive!" Where is he?"
Emily looked at her, "Last known signal was Pakistan."
"Pakistan! Why Pakistan?"
"I don't know. Whoever wants SEIS, wants it badly, and is prepared to pay a lot."
Mei-Lin shook her head, "I don't understand, Daddy…he does not have it."
"Emily," Hotch interrupted. "Mei-Lin's father…was he the reason you and Easter were…?"
Emily nodded. "Dr. Wong and Dr. Mandell…Mei-Lin's late fiancé, were kidnapped in the middle of the night a couple of years ago. It was not until recently…six months ago, we received news that one of them was still alive… it was Dr. Wong. We did find Dr. Mandell's body washed up in a river. We had to confirm his identity through DNA."
Mei-Lin began to weep more.
"I'm sorry, Mei-Lin." Reid whispered to her.
"It's okay…you didn't know about him." She said.
Reid nodded awkwardly.
"What's this SEIS?" Hotch asked them.
Emily explained to him.
Hotch's expression darkened, "Why would he do something so dangerous? In the wrong hands…"
"We're aware of that, Hotch." Emily looked miserable. "But it's done. And now they want it, and they're looking for it." She stared at Mei-Lin.
"You have it on you?" Hotch asked her.
Mei-Lin nodded.
"And you're walking around…freely…you've put all our lives in danger!"
"Hotch! That's enough!" Emily snapped at him.
"He's right, Emily. I have put everyone in danger…I mean look at the bomb scare in your house… and at my apartment."
Emily shook her head, "It doesn't matter, it's part of our job."
Mei-Lin shook her head, "No, I've put all of you in danger." She removed a long piece of jade pendant from her neck and handed it to Emily, "The SEIS program is encrypted in here. Daddy created the pendant into a flash-drive; no one knew about it."
Emily took it from her and examined it, "I thought it was your family surname carved into the stone…the Chinese character, WONG."
Mei-Lin smiled, "It is and yet it's also a flash-drive. He called it a family heirloom. It's a family joke."
Emily chuckled, "So, that's what you mean when you said only the ancestors knew the location."
Mei-Lin smiled as she nodded.
Reid grinned, "I think it's smart of your dad to do."
Mei-Lin beamed at Reid.
"What now, Emily?" Hotch looked at her.
"Well, Dr. Wong is still alive…because they are still looking for it…" She began to walk around the room as she thought about the problem. She then snapped her finger, "Harold Brown!"
Mei-Lin jerked her head up, "Harold! You think he's involved in this? You mean, he's responsible for the kidnappings…and Tony's death?" Her eyes were wide opened.
"Whoa…whoa…kid, let's not jump to conclusion here… we do not have any proof!" Emily rushed to her side. "For all we know, he could be only an interested buyer, that's all."
Mei-Lin shook her head, "I'm not buying it. He's guilty of it, I'm sure. He's hands are dirty!" She folded her hands across her chest in anger. "Ass-Hole!"
Reid arched his brows in silent surprise.
Hotch shook his head.
"Let me talk to MI-5 tomorrow." Emily offered. "I know we don't have much time and I have to turn over the books but I can at least consult with someone, and Clyde. They might give us a better option."
Mei-Lin nodded.
Emily sighed, "So…how about we call it a night?"
They all nodded and stood up. After saying good night they went up to their rooms.
Except for Hotch and Emily.
"Em…wait." Hotch whispered to her, after he made sure Reid and Mei-Lin had gone to their respective rooms.
Emily watched him expectantly as she held her breath; she knew what was coming next…
He held his hand out her as she smiled shyly and grasped it.
He led her to his room and closed the door firmly.
As he gathered her in his arms finally, "Let's hope we won't be interrupted again."
Emily grinned as she leaned into his shoulder, "The house can blow for all I care…I'm not running."
He chuckled as he lifted her chin for a long kiss but not before he said, "Me too and it'll be well worth it."
Their kiss was temporary interrupted by a soft noise…
"Did you hear that?" Emily surfaced from their mind-blowing kiss.
Sighing, Hotch shook his head, "No, just your fantastic lips…" he reached for them again.
Giggling, Emily shook her head as she gave in to him, "I guess I'm hearing things…"
"Mmmmm…." He led her to the bed.
…..
A soft knock on Reid's door….
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Spencer." Mei-Lin whispered.
A moment later, Reid opened the bedroom door, "Hi…is everything okay?"
The young lady gazed at him, "Uh…yes and no…can I come in? I can't sleep…"
Surprised, Reid nodded and stood aside, "Yeah…Oh yeah! Come on in!" He leaned out looking around the hallway as Mei-Lin scooted into his room and closed the door after her.
When he turned to watch her, he found her huddled in his bed.
Sighing, he padded after her and sat on the edge as he watched her. He also saw that both cats warmly ensconced at the foot of his bed.
"Okay…make yourself comfortable…all of you." Reid spread his arms about him.
Mei-Lin laughed, "I hope you don't mind…I don't feel like sleeping alone. Sergio and Thelonious…I have no idea they slept here too, I thought they sleep in Emily's room?"
Reid shrugged, "I…they kept scratching at the door just now until I let them in. And now you." He turned to look at her nervously. "You're fi…fine here…I…don't…I mean…I'm not…I…" he gulped hard as he became lost for words.
Mei-Lin reached over and covered his hand with hers, "I want to talk to you about Tony."
Reid stared at her for a moment before dropping his gaze, "You…don't have to. I'm just sorry about him…" he let the sentence trailed off.
Mei-Lin sighed, "Spencer…I…owe you an explanation. Will you look at me?" She pleaded with him.
He thought for a moment before nodding and looked up at her. "Okay, sure. Then, I have to tell you about…Maeve."
Mei-Lin's eyes widened as she tensed, "Oh…!"
Reading her thoughts, "No!" Reid shook his head, "You're mistaken…she's…she's uh, dead too."
Settling back, Mei-Lin began, "Daddy introduced Tony when he began as his assistance…"
….
End of Chapter 11