Disclaimer: Still don't own it.
Spencer and Toby pulled up to the apartment complex.
Unlike their previous visits of late, this place was in a higher end of the city and home to those of upper middle class.
The young FBI Agent was starting to feel the stress of the case upon her; starting in the aftermath of the text from A. She had hardly slept a wink after receiving the taunt and it was starting show with dark circles under her eyes. She had been tempted to take something for it, but decided against it given her history with drugs; avoiding even aspirin if she could help it. What she needed was a way to solve this case before any more victims showed up; which could be at any time since the investigators still didn't know if there was a timetable between the abductions and murders. The search for the possible victims was still being done by Mona and Mike, who seemed to be working well together,
Mona was unable to trace the source of the text and concluded that it was sent by the same method Charles had done his all those years ago. What Spencer found funny about that was she would have figured that the authorities could have solved the problem by now; especially with the terrorist implications. However, Mona informed the FBI Agent that the NSA could help with the problem but couldn't due to come legal issues; which Spencer had trouble believing. The bed-ridden woman did suggest outsourcing for some help while she and Mike focused on trying to find A's intended victims. She then gave her and Toby a name as well an address of a contact she had in the city; as well as an envelope which was sealed tightly to give to the contact as payment. Spencer didn't know what was in it but decided to follow Mona's instructions on not to open it.
The place itself was an apartment complex for those who wanted to own their own space but didn't want to pay a mortgage as well as property taxes. Under the guise of paying rest, the owner was actually paying a small fee for maintenance as well as other expenses; which wasn't illegal technically. The complex was obviously converted from a former factory complex that was built around the 1800s during the Industrial Revolution; indicated by the outer appearance which was all old brown brick as well as the closed off smokestack. The only visible entrance had been converted into a proper doorway that resembled something from a fancy hotel from New York; complete with a doorman or even possibly a valet. There were hedges surrounding the complex as some sort of border while the windows were some sort of stained glass.
Spencer had the option of moving into something like this when she first was assigned to Philadelphia; one of the places her sister recommended. She had been tempted to rent the place since Spencer really didn't even have an issue with money and it was not too far away from where she worked; even liking the old fashioned feel of the place. She was though, trying to stay honest and upholding of the law; thus skimming the Government of money just didn't seem right to her even though it wasn't illegal. While Melissa and Hanna had scoffed at her decision, her blonde friend never looking away from saving money, Toby had applauded it since her renewed commitment to honest was one of the things he loved about her.
"Are you sure about the address?" Toby asked her as they got out of the car after parking across the street. There was a time limit on how long the vehicle could remain in the spot unless you left a tag saying that you were the police.
"Yes; Mona was very specific on where her contact lived. I don't see a renowned hacker living here though," Spencer commented while they walked up to the doorman; who was about to block their way until they showed the man their badge.
"You're not the only one who was rebellious in her youth; Mona's friend was probably a rich girl who rebelled and became a hacker," Toby reasoned, seeing the thing play out countless times in his past cases.
"I wasn't rebellious in the least," defended the FBI Agent, seemingly offended by the suggestion that Toby just made. She might not have been a good girl when she was young, but she was in no ways rebellious.
"Not to bring up the past but you defied your mother a great deal of times; especially when it came to your career choice. Instead of going to the police about A, you and the rest of the girls conducted your own investigations. I also don't want to hurt you, but there is the less than legal things you did back before Alison first disappeared," reminded the older man with a look; though he was trying to be gentle.
"That was all because of A and Alison; not because of I was being rebellious. Being rebellious means getting bad grades or sleeping around with other guys to get back at my parents for being overbearing; which I never did. My grades were perfect all the way through school and I was at the top of my class. I only dated Alex and you in highschool; never anyone else," countered the young woman a little testily.
Melissa had once used her past against her in an argument in front of their mother for their father's funeral arrangements; which still irked her to this day. Her sister tried to make it so that she would be the only one to give the eulogy and Spencer had an issue with that since she considered herself closer to their father. After a few hours of arguing, it was decided that they would both get to speak at the funeral; though it was only because the two sisters went nuclear with one another's secrets. It was by luck that Veronica Hastings had been out of the room at the time or she would have collapsed under the stress of learning the things that their father had kept hidden from her. Wren had been in the room at the time and it was his suggestion to share the eulogy that kept the sisters from murdering each other.
"Being rebellious is more complicated than you think; what you did might not be textbook teenage rebellion but you still went against your parents on a lot of things like dating me," Toby reminded her with a smile. Spencer remembered how her parents didn't like Toby at first but learned to like him after time.
The lobby was similar to a fancy hotel except that there was no front desk; it was also empty of activity which made sense given the time of day. There were mail boxes attached to the wall and locked with both and digital lock as well as a regular that required a key. There were paintings on the yellow colored walls and lights built into the ceiling though there was some illumination came from outside. Toby noted the security cameras that were hidden as smoke detectors in order to fool potential intruders. There were two ways to head upstairs; an elevator and the stairs though the two opted for the former. They passed a wealthy couple going in and they didn't seem to give them the light of day; which spencer wasn't surprised of.
The person they were here to visit was on the third floor and the hallway was empty when they stepped out of the elevator. The apartment was at the end of the hall and the door was painted black in comparison to the rest of the apartments. Noting the unusual color, Toby knocked on the door and the faint music could be heard from the other side; jazz to be exact. It took a few knocks before the door opened and a thin blonde appeared in the doorway. Toby had to look away given that she was wearing only white panties and a yellow shirt. She was tall, had blue eyes, and her complexion was rather pale. She sort of reminded Spencer of a cross mix of Hanna and Mona given that the young woman was wearing glasses. She looked at the two suspiciously and her mood darkened when the two flashed her badges.
"What do you want?" the woman demanded as she just stood there in the doorway as she seemed to enjoy Toby being uncomfortable. The way she was moving her body, it seemed to Spencer that the woman was trying to mess with him.
"Ms. Irene Parrish, my name is Spencer Hastings of the FBI and this is Officer Toby Cavanaugh of the Pennsylvania State Police. We need to talk to you," informed Spencer as she tried to make sure the woman focused on her instead of her boyfriend.
"Whatever you think I did; I didn't. Also, I am protected by a very expensive lawyer as well as some Government Spooks that I help on occasion. Shove off," ordered Irene as she moved to slam the door in the two's faces. Spencer however stuck her foot out to block the door in order to stop her however.
"Mona sent us; she needs to call in a favor," said the FBI Agent as she handed the young blonde an envelope. Irene's eyes widened and took the envelope by almost ripping it out of her hand, motioning for the two to come inside the apartment.
"I was hoping that she would contact me; I heard what happened," stated the woman, genuinely concerned as they headed down the bare hallway. The smell of weed was quite evident despite the numerous scents of vanilla in the apartment.
Both stopped in their tracks as soon as they entered the front room; surprised at the sight that was before them. There were potted plants everywhere; from various cactus species to roses as well as everything in between. The windows were open to let the sunlight in and the floor was a grey tile that was covered with soil as well as dirt particles. The walls were bare except for clothing that was hanging off of hooks; all flashy and things that even Alison would have blushed at back in the day. Instead of proper furniture, there was a card table with some empty dishes on it; surrounded by a couple of lawn chairs. The temperature of the room was rather cool, probably because of the plants themselves, and Spencer almost felt like she was at a nature reserve; except for was located in the center of the room.
In the heart of the small forest was the most elaborate computer setup that Spencer had ever seen in her life; outclassing even Charles's back in the day. With multiple wires going into the various outlets in the walls as well as three generators near the far wall, the homemade server was well powered as well as the four computers that seemed all connected together. There were also four monitors with various data, one being stock plans that Toby assumed to be Irene's or at least he hoped. Other than the homemade server, everything was placed on a custom made computer table that was made of oak with the chair being leather with wheels. Not bothering to put anything on, especially pants, Irene sat back down on the chair and opened up the envelope; which seemed to be full of photos.
Photos of Mona in various dresses.
"How do you know Mona?" Spencer asked the woman as the woman turned to scan the pictures into her computer. She was slightly confused by the whole thing and wondered if Mona had a stalker.
"She's my muse; and I owe her my life. You know, I thought your names meant something and I am assuming you are THEM?" she inquired as she studied the photos on the screen and then started replicating them with an art program on another monitor.
"Yes," Toby simply answered, having a feeling on what she meant. If Ms. Parrish knew all about them, the young man hoped she was holding a grudge against Spencer.
"So what do you want? Usually Mona just calls me if she needs something," stated the blonde and she leaned back and smiled at the two. It was taking Toby everything he had not to stare at her and even Spencer looked uncomfortable; much to Irene's delight as evidenced by her smirk.
"Mona's busy on our case and we need some help tracking our perp; who is quite the hacker and who we need to find. She sent me a text and we were wondering if you could help trace it; Mona said you would like the challenge," informed the FBI Agent as she handed the other woman her cell phone. She took it and Spencer winced when Irene disassembled the phone in front of her, taking the sim card and plugging it into her laptop; which was right in front of her.
"I do but I would do anything for Mona if she needed help; especially from some sicko claiming to be A," remarked Irene as she started typing and bringing up the text message.
"You know about A?" asked a surprised Spencer, looking over at Toby who also seemed just as astounded as she was.
"When someone I respect gets attacked in her own house, I do everything to find out who was behind it. I was going to send Mona roses or even leave the apartment to visit her but decided to start hunting who tried to do this to her. I also know Mona's past rather well and your security just sucks since I was able to hack in," answered Ms. Parrish and Toby sigh since he would have to let Tanner know their network was breached; again since A probably had already done it as well.
"Well Mona thinks she is using her own cell phone network as well as her own server to send her messages. She would track the messages herself but is trying to find the last few potential victims and it's taking all of her time," stated the young man as he watched Irene work; impressed by her skills despite her attire.
"Well that sounds like Mona; always putting the life of someone first before moving onto to the culprit. I really do get why the NSA is trying to make sure she sits at the top at some point within the next few years," Irene said as she did her best to trace the texts. Mona was right about this being a challenge.
"What do you mean?" inquired the other woman, slightly curious since it was still hard to believe that Mona was rising in the ranks at her Agency faster than Spencer since they were of the same age.
"The NSA has great plans for Mona; they were watching her back in highschool and she was on a recruitment list even before that. You might have gone through Hell when she was A but the NSA loved every bit of it while they were watching," informed the blonde as she smiled, noting the shock and anger that resonated from the two.
"Can you help us? We really are in a rush," Spencer said a little testily as the sudden revelation reverberated all through her body. She and her friends had gone through a wringer that left scars all through highschool and the fact that an Federal Agency basically watched the whole thing while they suffered enraged her.
"Well your killer is smart and I have to admire how advanced her network is; a shame she is a nut. I wrote a program a while back so that I could trace such networks and am using it now. We should have some idea of where A is here soon though I can't be completely precise so all you will get is the general area where her Lair is," informed the blonde as she moved her body around; a little too sultry for Spencer's tastes. It was a good minute before there was a beeping from the laptop.
"Well this is interesting," Irene said with both surprise and slight confusion. It wasn't often that she was astounded by something and noted to make an entry in her diary about this tonight when she went to bed.
"You found it?" Toby inquired as he tried to look over the blonde's shoulder before she shot him a glare to back off.
"Well the like I said; the general area. I was expecting though to be somewhere out in the middle of nowhere or some abandoned building in the factory complex; not in the middle of downtown in the general area of where the various Government buildings are," answered Ms. Parrish as she turned the laptop around and show the two officers. It was like Irene said; the entire network was centered in the central part of the city.
"She's been hiding in plain sight all along," Spencer stated with frustration as she just shook her head. Toby also sighed and texted Mike about the news as well as relaying it to Tanner as well.
Spencer should have considered that since that was how A always operated; making sure she or he was right in front of you the whole time. Mona and Charles had excelled in the trick and it seemed that Doctor Tabitha Clark had learned it as well. Now the challenge would be to refocus their search for the lair downtown in hopes that they could find a possible location; though it would not be easy. Knowing A, she was probably hiding a fake name amongst hundreds of real ones; which would require an extensive search to see what buildings had been renovated as of late. They would also need to contact the various construction business to see if there had been any work off the books as well; a trick Tabitha could have used.
Then they would have her.
Please Read and Review; also a special thanks to Paraddicted for the pre-read!